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AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

of 

DAN PATCH 



THE WORLD'S CHAMPION 
HARNESS HORSE 



By 
Merton E. Harrison 







Copyright, 1912 

By 

MERTON E. HARRISON 



gCU31G5 26 



CONTENTS. 



Chapter Page 

Introduction 5 

I. First Days 14 

II. I Meet My Master 21 

III. My First Meeting With a Black- 

smith and a Photographer .... 27 

IV. My First Love and My First 

Race Track 41 

V. My First Race and the Joy of 

Winning 50 

VI. My First Knowledge of Death 

and Its Result 61 

VII. I Declare War Against the Watch 71 

VIII. I Move to My Minnesota Home 84 

IX. My Fight for Life 93 

X. My Seasons of '05 and '06 100 

XI. 1907 and a Serious Injury Ill 

XII. 1908 and 1909— A Rival Favorite 119 

XIII. A Los Angeles Adventure 128 

XIV. I am Permanently Retired 142 

XV. My Daily Routine 154 

XVI. One Championship I Did Not 

Win 164 

XVII. Pleasures That Are Still Mine. . . 176 

Breeding of Dan Patch 184 

World Records Held by Dan 

Patch 185 



Dedicated to 

M. W. SAVAGE 

Owner of 

DAN PATCH 




When I Pace at Full Speed. 



DAN PATCH 



INTRODUCTION 

There have been thousands of great 
race horses. Hundreds of harness 
horses have won large sums of money 
for their owners and the admira- 
tion of horse lovers for themselves. 
Scores have given such remarkable 
performances that their names will 
never be forgotten. Dozens have won 
world championships. Eight have 
entered the magic two-minute circle. 

There has been and there is only 
one Dan Patch. For ten years he 
has been without a peer in the har- 
5 



TNTRODUCTION 

ness horse world. In manners, in 
disposition, in courage, in gameness 
and in speed he has stood alone. 

The performances of other horses 
have been judged largely by the near- 
ness of approach to those of the 
world's champion. He has been the 
standard of harness horse perfection. 
More widely known than prince or 
potentate and better loved than any 
other animal in history, Dan Patch 
has been a popular idol during the 
last decade. He has repeatedly per- 
formed what experts have pronounced 
impossible feats. He has paced 
seventy-three miles at an average 
speed of less than two minutes. He 
has lowered the world's record four- 
teen times. He now holds seven 
world's records. 

6 



INTRODUCTION 

The season of 1909 furnished the 
first evidence ever given by the cham- 
pion that physical perfection will not 
last forever. For the first time this 
gallant animal indicated that even 
he would some day have to bow to 
the inevitable and admit the irre- 
sistible power of age. Still perfect 
as to muscle, lungs and heart, the 
champion proved that the legs which 
have borne him to so many victories 
are made of bone and sinew and must 
wear out. 

When, after finishing the last quar- 
ter of an exhibition mile in thirty 
seconds at Los Angeles on Dec. 4th, 
Dan Patch was led back to the stands 
to receive a magnificent floral offer- 
ing, the champion of champions 
limped perceptibly. He trembled as 
7 



INTRODUCTION 

he bowed his appreciation when this 
last of a thousand wreaths was 
fastened about his shining neck. 

This appearance was heralded by 
the press as the champion's last speed 
exhibition and one writer in describ- 
ing the emotion that swept the grand- 
stands, spoke of the incident as "The 
Curtain Call of a Top Notcher." 
Certain it is that this greatest of all 
pacers showed signs of the continued 
and terrific pounding over all sorts 
of tracks and equally certain is it 
that, as the monarch limped away to 
the stable, a silence of sadness settled 
over the crowd and tears glistened in 
the eyes of many of the spectators 
as they watched this exit of the 
noblest pacer that ever lived. It 
was a powerfully dramatic "curtain" 

8 



INTRODUCTION 

to a compelling drama of battle and 
love and victory. 

Dan Patch has won a place in horse 
history and in the hearts of the 
American people that can never be 
taken from him. The present gen- 
eration will know no other world 
champion harness horse. The cham- 
pion's life and performances have left 
an imprint upon the harness horse 
breeding industry, an imprint that 
will not be. lessened by his retire- 
ment, an imprint distinct from that 
of the blood lines that, in his get, will 
be productive of great results. 

As a proof of the regard in which 
he is and always will be held, the 
result of a popular voting contest to 
determine the ten greatest pacers of 
all time conducted by the Horse 
9 



INTRODUCTION 

Review in the fall of 1911, is of inter- 
est. In this contest Dan was given 
first place on 2,901 ballots out of 
3,524. His nearest competitor was 
Joe Patchen, Dan's sire, who received 
only 210 votes. 

Dan has reached the end of his 
wonderful speed career. His great- 
ness must be henceforth, a greatness 
of memory, except as it is handed 
down to posterity by his sons and 
daughters. 

To the men who have studied and 
known him during his life it seems 
that his intelligence must be almost 
human. The greatest care and the 
most perfect training could never 
have made and kept Dan Patch what 
he has been. The work of his care- 
takers, trainers and drivers has always 
10 



INTRODUCTION 

been high class, but it has always been 
supplemented by the self-esteem, the 
care and thoughtfulness of the horse 
himself. Dan Patch has come to be 
spoken of as "the horse that knows." 
As the great pacer enters into the 
twilight of his marvelous career we 
can get a better perspective of it as 
a whole than has been possible here- 
tofore. The sum total of his per- 
formances shows a never-failing great- 
ness and a consistency hitherto un- 
known to the horse world. His 
life and works show more than con- 
sistency. They show a well-rounded 
greatness that should raise the horse 
in the estimation of men. Dan's 
life story is an inspiration to breeders 
and an object lesson to people who 
have to do with the noblest of man's 

11 



INTRODUCTION 

dumb friends. It tells of intelligence 
and bravery and preaches a powerful 
sermon on what kindness and care 
mean to our dumb animals and what 
it will accomplish when rightly ap- 
plied. 

To one who has studied, watched 
and loved this great horse and who 
feels that he knows the champion's 
mental processes it seems certain 
that the complete story of his life, 
hopes, disappointments, ambitions, 
failures and successes is fully realized 
by Dan Patch himself. His life has 
in it all the elements of real romance 
and I cannot but believe Dan appre- 
ciates them all and would wish the 
world to know them and to learn that 
a mere horse can know and think and 
feel. 

12 



INTRODUCTION 

The following story is an earnest 
and honest attempt to interpret these 
thoughts and to give them to the 
world in words, as nearly as possible 
like those which Dan would use were 
he possessed of almost the only hu- 
man function that he lacks. It is 
believed that it will appeal to those 
who know and love Dan Patch. It 
is hoped that it tells the things Dan 
w r ould like to tell and gives an inter- 
pretation of his acts and rules of life 
such as he would approve. 

Merton E. Harrison. 



13 



CHAPTER I. 

FIRST DAYS. 

My first memories are pleasant 
ones. They are of comfort and sun- 
shine in a pasture with plenty of feed 
and wooded with picturesque old oak 
trees. I have heard that I was born 
in an Oxford livery stable. If I had 
so plebeian a birthplace I have no 
memory of it. I can recall nothing 
before the big Indiana pasture in 
which I was happy and free and 
healthy. 

All of this was only fifteen years 
ago as men reckon time, but in the 
horse world it is longer than the 
racing life of most track performers. 
Since then my life has been crowded 
with activities of every sort, but 

14 



OF DAN PATCH 

during all the years, happiness, sun- 
shine, the joy of victory, kindness and 
love have been my lot. 

There are people who think that 
horses do not know and appreciate 
the best things of life. They are 
mistaken. Horses do know. Horses 
do think and feel. We suffer from 
unkindness and appreciate the care 
and thoughtfulness of our caretakers, 
owners and other people around us. 
We have our likes and dislikes. Some 
horses, like some people, show these 
more than others, but I feel sure that 
all of us are more willing to put forth 
our greatest efforts when asked by 
our friends than when the request 
comes from those we do not like. 

Instinctively we know the people 
who love us and who will be kind to 
15 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

us and, while we cannot tell them in 
words, every well-bred horse has a 
way of expressing these sentiments. 
Horses remember. When we have 
once made friends we do not readily 
give them up. 

We cannot write poetry, but we 
have our romances. I know I have 
had mine and now that the noise 
and tumult of victory and glory are 
beginning to subside, it is a pleasure 
to remember, to look back over 
it all and to enjoy again the happier 
incidents. 

The early days when I was young, 
strong and filled with the joy of life 
and when everything was new and 
strange to me, were really the happiest 
I have ever known. There were a 
few other horses in our large pasture 

16 



OF DAN PATCH 

that were not always kind to me, but 
I always found protection by the 
side of my mother, Zelica. She was 
young and active and she defended 
me from all attacks as faithfully as 
any mother could. I fear I did not 
appreciate her then, for there was so 
much for me to learn and I was so 
eager to be taught and to try experi- 
ments. I know now that it is not 
only my inheritance, but the advice 
given and the example set me by my 
dam that helped me to form habits 
that have since won me many friends. 
I had no playmates of my own age 
and therefore had more time to listen 
to the tales of Zelica. Gently but 
firmly she explained to me that I 
was not an ordinary colt destined to 
wear my life out in hauling buggies 

17 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

back and forth to town or doing even 
more irksome tasks. During the heat 
of many days, while we lay enjoying 
the cool shade of a protecting elm, 
she told me of my ancestors. I 
learned that I was the descendant of 
a long line of performers whose names 
are written high on the roll of race 
horse fame. I heard of the prowess 
of my sire, Joe Patchen, than whom 
a greater race horse has never lived. 
I learned that I was looked upon to 
carry forward the honor of his noble 
family. I was advised as to actions 
and morals, told about the race track 
where I would some day be taken to 
try my speed and gameness. Zelica 
confided to me that she had been 
denied her great ambition. She 
had never won a race because she 
18 



OF DAN PATCH 

had gone lame and her training had 
been given up. Her hope was that, 
through me, she could know the joy 
of victory. 

These and many more things I 
eagerly listened to and, before I was 
a year old, I had dreamed dreams of 
greatness. My mind was filled with 
thoughts of what I should do. My 
courage was fired and my heart beat 
with a longing and a great ambition. 

It was not until my second summer 
that any person seemed to pay any 
attention to me. In fact I cannot 
remember seeing a man or woman 
more than once or twice until I was 
nearly a year old. Before I reached 
that age I was left alone in the pas- 
ture, Zelica having been taken away 
to continue in her services to man- 
Id 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

kind. I was not lonesome, however, 
as I found plenty of excitement in 
mad, free gallops about my spacious 
pasture and in such coltish pranks as 
barking trees and kicking down fences. 
Now that I think of it, I do not 
believe I ever again saw my mother. 
I can't recall that I thought it strange 
to be parted from her. I guess that 
is a provision in horse nature. Our 
lives make the separation of relatives 
necessary and we are made so that 
we do not mourn. I am thinking 
of it now for the first time and only 
after having watched sad human part- 
ings. I guess it is wisely ordered. 



20 



CHAPTER II. 

I MEET MY MASTER. 

I shall never forget the afternoon 
when I first saw my owner, Dan 
Messner, and recognized a master. I 
was standing near the fence, look- 
ing across the fields, wondering 
what lay beyond and when I should 
be taken to the cities and tracks of 
which I had heard. Suddenly I saw 
a horse coming toward me. Hitched 
to the animal with w^hat I soon 
found to be a harness was a two- 
wheeled cart in which was a man, 
large and smiling. 

The horse stopped, the man 

climbed down, tied the animal to a 

tree and walked directly toward me. 

I watched him and wondered. It 

21 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

never occurred to me to fear or to 
run away as so many colts might have 
done. He came up to me, laid his 
hand gently on my neck and said a 
few words in a voice that was firm 
but kind. 

Leaving me, my visitor hurried 
back to his rig and began unharness- 
ing his horse. I waited. In a very 
few minutes he had unfastened and 
taken off the harness and, leaving 
the horse tied to the tree, returned 
to me, carrying a great bundle of 
what were then strange straps and 
fixtures. I waited, not knowing but 
still not fearing what was to come. 

With a few kind words, the man, 
who I recognized as a friend, quietly 
placed the harness on my back, 
buckled up the straps and in a few 

22 



OF DAX PATCH 

moments more was asking me to 
open my mouth for the insertion of a 
hard, cold, steel bit. To this I ob- 
jected. I did not understand it. 
I also had a feeling that perhaps my 
liberty was in danger and I made 
serious objections. My master held 
me firmly by the foretop and, after 
some little persuasion, induced me to 
let him put on the bridle. I did 
not like it and I have never liked it, 
but since it is accepted as the only 
practical way in which horses can be 
managed I have had to learn to put 
up with it. I have seen many bits 
that cannot be worn without tortur- 
ing a horse. I have never been asked 
to wear one of these and I can only 
advise other horses that good behavior 
is the best way of getting humane 
23 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

bits as well as kind treatment. 
After being well fastened up I was 
led over to the cart, backed between 
the thills and was soon ready for 
driving. I felt a pull on the lines 
and, looking around, saw my master 
climbing into the cart. I did not 
know what I should do but, realizing 
that something was expected of me, 
I started away down the path through 
the pasture at the best gait I knew. 
I know now that I started in pacing 
as naturally as many colts run. 

In a few moments I learned to 
know what my driver meant when 
he pulled on one line or both and I 
felt sure that he was pleased and 
gratified with my trying to do what 
was right. After a short drive around 
the pasture he called "whoa" and 
24 



OF DAN PATCH 

at the same time pulled sharply on 
the lines. I stopped to see what was 
the matter. Then he dismounted 
and while I waited he began unfasten- 
ing the buckles and taking off the 
harness. The tone of his voice as 
he patted me affectionately told me 
that I had done well. I felt that my 
work in the world had been begun 
properly. 

I was glad when the bit and straps 
were off and I could gallop and roll 
away the feel of them. They weren't 
to my liking but some how I knew 
that they were necessary evils and 
I accepted them as I have accepted 
many things because I believed it 
the easiest and, in the end, the best 
way. I am somewhat at a loss to 
explain this submissive spirit unless 
25 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

it comes from an appreciation of 
man's superior intelligence. 

It was not many days after this 
first drive when I was taken from 
the pasture, led into the village of 
Oxford and given a stall in the big 
barn near Mr. Messner's house. I 
was turned loose in the pasture back 
of the barn occasionally, but this 
became more and more infrequent 
while the occasions when I was 
hitched and driven became more fre- 
quent. I had passed my playtime 
in the open. Since then my life has 
been mostly spent indoors or on 
tracks. I have sometimes envied 
horses, young and old, who could 
have the freedom of the fields, but 
now that my time for this sort of life 
has again come I am not sure which 
is most to be desired. 

26 



CHAPTER III. 

MY FIRST MEETING WITH A BLACK- 
SMITH AND A PHOTOGRAPHER. 

Shortly after I took up my quarters 
in town I was introduced to a black- 
smith and the gentle art of horse- 
shoeing. I was led into the village 
smithy by my master, who stood 
near me and talked to me during the 
unpleasant initiation. My fears were 
aroused when I first stepped into the 
dingy shop cluttered up with scraps 
of old iron and pieces of broken 
vehicles. The smell was very differ- 
ent from that of the pasture or even 
of my clean stable and this did not 
tend to allay my suspicions. 

When my halter strap was tied 
securely to a ring in the wall, a big, 

27 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

hairy-armed man in a leather apron, 
carrying a great hammer slouched 
toward me. He laid his hand on my 
flank and roughly pushed me to one 
side, saying, "Get over, colt." I 
did not like his manner nor his tone, 
but decided that I was in no great 
danger as my master stood at my 
head and spoke reassuringly to me. 
The blacksmith forcibly picked up 
one of my front feet and pulling 
it into position between his knees 
held it firmly in spite of my efforts 
to put it down. He next dropped 
his hammer and grasped a villainous 
looking weapon from a box of tools 
that he had slid along the floor 
toward me and began cutting away 
at my hoofs. 

I did not understand the proceed- 
28 



OF DAN PATCH 

ing but flinched involuntarily. In spite 
of his rough way of going at the job 
the blacksmith did not really hurt 
me much although it seemed that he 
was cutting off most of my foot. 
This operation finished, he went to 
my other front foot, then to my left 
hind one. I was not used to standing 
on three feet and I was especially sur- 
prised when he jerked this back sup- 
port from under me. I nearly lost 
my balance and, in recovering, kicked 
somewhat viciously, I am afraid. I 
did not like the man and resented 
his unusual treatment of me. He 
lost his hold and staggered nearly 
across the shop, but immediately 
came back to the attack. This time, 
however, he approached me with a 
little more care and courtesy. 
29 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

His third attempt was successful, 
due largely to my master's continued 
admonitions to me to be quiet. When 
each hoof had been pared, the smith 
went over to what looked like a big 
chimney, and pulling down the handle 
of a pair of bellows blew into bright 
flame the embers of his fire. The 
flash lighted up the shop and, this 
being my first experience, startled 
me. I was reassured by Mr. Messner, 
however, and decided that I was 
too far away to be hurt by the fire. 

In a few moments the smith took 
from the flames a red hot piece of 
iron and after hammering it into 
shape and incidentally sending bits 
of fire in all directions, he approached 
me, holding the still red shoe by a 
pair of tongs. Raising my leg he 

30 



OF DAN PATCH 

placed this on my hoof. The hot 
iron sizzled and smoked, and I smelt 
the nauseating odor of burnt hoofs 
for the first time. I was more fright- 
ened than hurt, but imagined myself 
terribly mistreated. I struggled to 
be free and succeeded. 

The smith's next effort was more 
satisfactory and after a short sizzling 
he dropped my foot and returned 
to the forge, where he again heated 
the iron. Then he pounded out some 
more sparks and came back to me 
for another try-on. I reasoned that 
he was working to make an iron foot 
shaped as nearly as possible like 
mine. Thus I was not surprised 
when, evidently satisfied, the shoe- 
maker finally pushed his box of 
weapons closer and after dipping the 

ai 




fc 1 



OF DAN PATCH 

barefoot and appreciated the fact 
that the shoes were a protection. 
I began to feel proud of them and it 
occurred to me that being shod was 
one of the important processes neces- 
sary to make me what I hoped to 
become, a real race horse. 

Since that day I do not remember 
ever going unshod for any length of 
time. My feet have been cared for 
by the best blacksmiths and have 
never given me any concern except 
on shoeing days, to which I have 
never come to look forward with any 
degree of pleasure. However, I have 
learned to regard the shoeing of a 
race horse as very important to his 
success. The shape and weight of 
shoes have much to do with regulat- 
ing a horse's gait and a good black- 
33 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

smith studies an animal's peculiari- 
ties and makes shoes that properly 
balance him and help materially in 
making him smooth-gaited and giving 
him the ease and power necessary to 
develop the greatest speed. 

Experts all over the world have ex- 
amined my shoes and I have learned 
that I am somewhat unusual in 
that I wear the same weight shoes, 
five ounces, on all four feet. The 
sharp steel grabs set in at both toe 
and heel were first put on my shoes 
a number of years ago and I found 
them a great help when pacing at a 
high rate of speed. This style of 
shoe has been copied very largely in 
the footwear of other high class pacers. 

That morning while I was being 
exercised to get used to my new shoes 
34 



OF DAN PATCH 

I had another unusual experience. 
A man carrying two big, black cases 
hurried into the yard and approach- 
ing us, called out in a pleasant tone, 
"Messner, that colt looks like a real 
one to me. I'd like to get a picture 
of him." "Go ahead and shoot," 
laconically replied my owner. 

My interest was aroused, but my 
owner did not seem much excited and 
continued to lead me back and forth 
on the driveway. The stranger began 
unstrapping his cases and I soon saw 
him pull out and set up a three-legged 
yellow arrangement that looked very 
queer to me, but which I have since 
become well acquainted with. It was a 
photographer's tripod. Soon the man 
had placed a black box on this stand 
and, opening it up, he pulled out what 
35 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

looked to me like a strange and weird 
instrument. Then covering his head 
with a black cloth he fussed around, 
turning screws and twisting himself 
into queer positions for several min- 
utes. 

Finally he called to my owner, 
"All right now, if you will stand him 
about there," indicating a place some 
thirty feet from the instrument. I 
did not like the looks of the machine 
and expressed my dislike by refusing 
to go closer. "Oh, come along, Dan. 
That's nothing but a camera," 
explained Mr. Messner. "You are 
going to get your picture taken. This 
is your first offense, but I'll bet my 
last cent it won't be your last." 

I yielded and allowed myself to 
be led to the place indicated by the 
36 



OF DAN PATCH 

stranger. Then came what seemed 
to me an endless amount of maneu- 
vering. I was asked to stand in one 
direction, then moved a little and 
moved back again. First one of my 
front feet was picked up and set 
down in one place, then it was 
changed again. Next I was asked 
to move one of my hind feet. One 
of the stable men came out and, 
evidently taking a great interest in 
the procedure, added his advice to 
that of the others. 

When the position of my legs 
seemed to satisfy the three of them, 
the stable men stood off in front of 
me and coaxed me to hold up my 
head, put out my ears, stick in my 
nose and do all sorts of foolish things. 
After trying to suit all of them for a 

37 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

time I became tired out and with a 
kick of disgust started for the barn. 
I was brought up short by my owner 
who still had a firm hold of the halter 
stale. He persuaded me to go back 
and we went through with practically 
the same fixing as before. Finally the 
stranger said, "Well, I guess that is 
the best we can do. Everybody 
quiet now," and with that he made 
some more moves around his ma- 
chine and fussed for a minute or two 
with the end of a long rubber tube. 

" I guess that's pretty fair, but we 
had better try another one," he 
remarked. Whereupon I was turned, 
facing in the opposite direction, and 
asked to do a lot more useless things. 
After what seemed an interminable 
time they expressed themselves as 
38 



OF DAN PATCH 

fairly well satisfied and I was taken 
back to the stable. 

That was my introduction to 
photography. Since then I probably 
have had focused at me a million 
or so kodaks, cameras and photo- 
graphing contrivances of all kinds. 
I now know the difference between 
the "Brownie" of the rank amateur 
and the "Graflex" of the expert news- 
paper man and while I much prefer 
the visits of the latter I try to be as 
polite as possible to beginners. I 
early learned not to mind them, how- 
ever, and discovered that the easiest 
and quickest way of getting rid of any 
picture taker was to look my best 
and do what was asked of me. I 
have learned to pose whenever a 
photographer puts in an appearance 
39 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

and as a result I have gained the 
reputation of being an extremely easy 
horse to photograph. 

Pictures of me have been sent 
around the world and I have seen 
many of them that I thought flattered 
me and many that looked as much 
like me as I look like a Shetland pony. 
I have come to consider it a com- 
pliment, however, to be photographed 
and I never consider it a bother. I 
have had my picture taken with 
celebrities of many kinds and 
whether I am asked to stand up before 
a camera with a dog, a street car, 
an automobile or a famous man I 
always try to "look pleasant." 



40 



CHAPTER IV. 

MY FIRST LOVE AND MY FIRST RAGE 
TRACK. 

It was during the early days of my 
stay in Oxford that I made the 
acquaintance of a little lady whose 
friendship has meant much to me. 
My pasture was a playground for 
some of the neighborhood children 
and among them was the little girl 
who has ever since been, after a 
fashion, my ideal. Many little folks 
used to play in the pasture, but I was 
especially attracted to this golden- 
haired miss. The attraction seemed 
to be mutual and we soon became 
friends. 

She often came to the pasture alone 
and, sitting on the fence, watched the 
41 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

antics prompted by my youth and 
good health. I recognized a friend 
and was not long in learning that she 
was willing to share her sweetmeats 
with me. I think this is where I 
learned to like sugar, a habit which 
I have never outgrown and which 
has been especially indulged since I 
became a champion. 

Little by little the young lady and 
I became better friends and when I 
was loose in the pasture we used to 
have many frolics together. One day 
I was entertaining my visitor -by 
galloping about the lot. Playfully 
I ran directly toward her, thinking 
only to frighten her. Not knowing 
my thought she started to run out 
of my way and, stumbling, fell di- 
rectly in my path. I had no time 
42 



OF DAN PATCH 

to turn aside and I struck her with 
my foot and, only by sheer good luck, 
missed stepping upon her. I stopped 
as soon as possible and trotted back 
to where she lay on the ground. 

The little girl's father had heard 
her scream as she fell and ran across 
the field to rescue her. When he 
reached the scene I was standing 
beside her, sorry but helpless. The 
father dropped on his knees beside 
the child and, for what seemed to 
me a long time, looked at, caressed 
and talked to her. At last her crying 
stopped and her father helped her to 
her feet. 

Then he turned to me. I shall 
never forget how pleased I was when 
he smiled at me and said, "You 
certainly are a good colt." I felt 

43 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

that he knew I had meant no harm 
to my friend and it helped. 

That little girl is a young woman 
now, but while I was in Oxford she 
continued to be a better friend than 
ever and since those days she has 
been to see me several times and 
always brings friends, to whom she 
tells the story of my part in her 
wonderful escape. I know she has 
taken a personal pride in all my 
triumphs and I am always happy to 
see her although she probably does 
not think that I remember her as my 
old-time playmate. 

This experience taught me that 
it pays even for a horse to be kind 
and thoughtful. It has come back 
to me many times when I have been 
tempted to be otherwise and I shall 
44 



OF DAN PATCH 

always feel grateful, not only for this 
young woman's love, but for what 
she taught me. I believe that my 
popularity with the ladies, which has 
been so much written about, is really 
due in a large measure to my con- 
tinual recollection of the little girl 
who taught me how pleasant it was 
to deserve and receive human kindness 
and love. 

During the year following my ar- 
rival in Oxford I was asked to work 
more and more. I learned many 
things by being driven over the coun- 
try roads outside the village. I dis- 
covered that I was never supposed 
to romp or run and that the easiest 
and swiftest way of going was by 
moving forward my right hind and 
right foreleg at the same time. That 

45 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

apparently suited every one and since 
those first days in harness I have 
seldom tried any other gait. I was 
well treated, well groomed and con- 
tinually petted. In my drives I was 
never asked to go as fast as I could 
although I often wanted to try, being 
filled with good health and great 
spirit. Every time I started, how- 
ever, I was made to know that I must 
not go too fast and learned that if I 
was to win the favor of my master 
I must take orders directly from him. 
I submitted because I had faith in 
his knowledge of what was best for 
me. I knew that some time he 
would ask me for greater efforts and 
I knew that I should be ready. 

In the spring of my third year I 
met John Wattles, a kind old man 
46 



OF DAN PATCH 

who soon convinced me that he had 
known and loved horses all his life. 
The old gentleman took charge of 
me and no one else was allowed to 
drive me. In the early summer, a 
few miles from my home, I w T as driven 
on the first track I ever saw. I 
enjoyed the fine, smooth footing and 
thrilled with the speed sensation. 
I was not allowed to go my fastest, 
but occasionally Mr. Wattles would 
give me rein for a short distance and 
it seemed as though I could really 
fly over the ground. I did not believe 
I could ever tire. 

After this we paid almost daily 
visits to this track. Generally there 
was no one there when I was working, 
but occasionally there would be some 
visitors and a few times I was allowed 
47 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

to show off before them. I wanted 
to do my best and from the way they 
compared watches and smiled and 
nodded when they looked me over 
I knew that I had pleased them. I 
remember this track because it was 
my first one and because it was so 
pleasant. 

Along one side there was a great 
grove of trees similar to those in 
my colthood pasture. I wondered 
whether this was the sort of race 
track my mother had tried to tell 
me of and whether I had begun the 
work of increasing our family's fame. 
I now know that this half-mile course 
at Oxford was made by simply scrap- 
ing off a strip of sod around an old 
pasture and that while it was a good 
training ground for a colt it was a 

48 



OF DAN PATCH 

heavy, slow a$d very primitive race 
track. Nevertheless I liked it and 
was proud to be driven there. 



49 



CHAPTER V. 

MY FIRST RACE AND THE JOY OF 
WINNING. 

My life was somewhat monotonous 
until the last of August, 1903. One 
morning in that racing month, I 
realized that there was something 
unusual in the preparations being 
made about the barn. I had an 
intuition that something important 
was to happen. In fact I had heard 
my owner and Mr. Wattles discussing 
me one day while they stood near my 
stall and from what I could under- 
stand they were very much pleased 
with me and Mr. Messner was deter- 
mined that I should "go to the 
races." 

The morning was bright and beau- 

50 



OF DAN PATCH 

tiful. I was hitched and, led behind 
a buggy, started out of town. I 
tingled with excitement. I felt sure 
that I was going to see something 
of the world that I had heard and 
dreamed about and hoped to conquer. 

After a long and uneventful drive 
we came up to a barn in front of 
which were several blanketed horses 
being walked back and forth. I was 
untied and led into a little, dark 
box stall. I was tired and ready to 
rest. I had seen many strange things 
and knew instinctively that this was 
the beginning. Of what? I could 
only guess and hope. I did both. 

On the next day, August 30th, I 
made my debut as a race horse. For 
the first time I saw a public race 
track and knew the wonderful exhil- 

51 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

aration of a race with other horses 
before a crowd of yelling people. 
Hundreds of times since then I have 
raced and given exhibitions before 
crowds that make this first one seem 
very insignificant but none of them 
can efface the memory of that first 
race track and that first crowd. 

I was jogged on the track in the 
morning and in the afternoon I was 
allowed to step a little up and down 
the stretch. I was interested in the 
other horses, in the people and in 
all the new and strange sights. I 
thought all the people were looking 
at me, but now I know that I was a 
big and somewhat ungainly colt and 
could not have attracted a great 
amount of attention, at least not 
before the race. 

52 



OF DAN PATCH 

Finally with two other horses I was 
taken to the head of the stretch and 
started down toward the grandstand. 
I did not understand it. I insisted 
on being ahead and when I was 
commanded to stop I felt very much 
put out. My old trainer talked 
kindly to me and we raced in front 
of the grandstand and jogged back 
three times. I know now that we 
were merely "scoring" for a fair 
start. Then it all seemed foolish 
and I was close to being disgusted 
with the whole business when, on 
the fourth trial, some one shouted 
"Go!" and we were not called back. 

I went away with one horse in 

front and one alongside. I was very 

nervous. I did not know what was 

expected of me nor what might 

53 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

happen. My driver kept a steady 
rein and talked to me encouragingly 
however and soon all fear left me and 
I wanted to rush ahead of that other 
horse. I knew I could. Mr. Wattles 
held me back and I shook my head 
and behaved a little badly. I for- 
got the people. I was filled with 
race and I only knew I wanted to 
beat that other horse. I heard the 
call to battle and I ached to win. 
We raced in this position one and a 
half times around the half mile track. 
Then I felt the reins slacken ever 
so little. I heard "All right, Dan. 
Go on now," and I knew. I saw the 
people in the distance. I imagined 
they were expecting me to come on. 
I raced past my competitor and could 
hear him blowing from his exertions. 
54 



OF DAN PATCH 

I did not care for him. I felt strong 
and equal to any effort. I was soon 
far ahead and grew calm as I felt 
the lines tighten, and heard my driver 
say soothingly: 

"Whoa, Dan. We've won this 
heat already. We must save some- 
thing for the next one." 

We passed the stands but my blood 
was up and I did not want to be 
stopped even then. I finally con- 
sented, however, and was driven back 
past the yelling crowd and led away 
to the stables. 

I don't remember how I figured it 
out then, but I knew that I had won. 
There was something in the cheering, 
in the way people looked at me and 
men crowded around me that made 
me know. I felt the joy of winning. 

55 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

Every race horse and every man 
knows the thrill of it. The sensation 
was exhilarating then and it never 
lost its power over me. I won the 
other heats of that race and my 
career had begun. 

Each day I looked and listened 
and learned. The more I saw the 
more convinced I was that worry was 
of no use. All that was necessary 
was to always do the best I could. 
That was the greatest lesson of my 
life. Since then I have taken things 
as they came. This is one of the 
great secrets of my success. It is 
one of the reasons why I have been 
easy to take care of, one reason why 
people have liked me and have always 
treated me well. The harder a horse 
or a man tries to do his best the 
more he is liked. 

56 



OF DAN PATCH 

Other things being equal it is the 
"don't worry" horse that wins. Per- 
haps this may apply to people. I 
discovered that the first horse under 
the wire is the horse that gets the 
money. The one that leads on the 
back stretch doesn't count. On no 
race course do they pay off at the 
three-quarter post. After my first 
race or two I just waited for the 
finish and then "nosed out" the 
others. That's a good way as long 
as you are sure of yourself and the 
other fellow. 

I was carefully cared for and, 
leaving Boswell, took my first journey 
by train. I was shipped to Lafayette, 
Ind. It was a strange and unpleasant 
experience. The railroad train had 
its terrors and I suffered from nervous- 

57 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

ness but, reassured by Mr. Wattles, 
I soon decided that I would not be 
hurt and gradually became used to 
the bumping and squeezing and the 
queer, dizzy motions and sounds. 
I did not have the comforts I now 
enjoy in my private palace car, but 
I was young and discomforts did 
not bother me. 

At Lafayette there were more 
horses together than I had before 
seen on a race track. We started in 
two tiers and I was in the second tier. 
There seemed to be horses and sulkies 
in every direction and when we finally 
got away there were many in front 
of me. My driver would not let 
me try to pass these horses until after 
the half mile had been reached, when, 
under a "heavy pull," I passed sev- 

58 



OF DAN PATCH 

eral of them but not in time to beat 
Milo S. under the wire. I was cha- 
grined at this defeat. It was the 
first heat I had lost and, with one 
exception, the last. I knew, how- 
ever, that it had not been my fault 
and in the other heats of the race I 
won easily and demonstrated my 
superiority to the satisfaction of 
everybody. 

I was then taken to the half-mile 
track at Crawfordsville where Ameri- 
can Belle did her best to beat me and 
made me pace the last quarter of one 
heat in thirty-one seconds. I was not 
bothered by this while the others were 
and in the following heats I found 
no one was able to give me a race. 
I started in what proved to be a 
" workout race" at Brazil and later 
59 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

went a trial mile over a half-mile 
track in 2:10. I was then shipped 
home to rest, to get ready for future 
efforts and to dream of what I might 
accomplish. 



60 



CHAPTER VI. 

MY FIRST KNOWLEDGE OF DEATH AND 
ITS RESULT. 

The next spring I was a five-year- 
old and supposed to be a seasoned 
race horse. I was turned over for 
training to Myron McHenry, a driver 
of reputation and one who produced 
results. At times I missed the gentle 
watchfulness of my old trainer, but 
I was intent upon winning races and 
had little time or thought for any- 
thing save what I might gain by 
repeated victories. I appreciated that 
I was in the hands of an experienced 
reinsman and usually was willing to 
take orders from him without objec- 
tion. 

My faith in him was somewhat 
61 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

shaken, however, at Brighton Beach 
on August 16th. In a race with seven 
starters I was forced to take the other 
horses' dust all the way around and, 
despite my efforts down the stretch, 
I finished fourth in the slow time of 
2 :09, being beaten by Martha Marshal, 
Major Muscovite and Patsy K. I 
was indignant that my driver should 
have made me lose a heat that I could 
have won so easily. 

I could not understand it at the 
time. How could I have understood? 
I knew nothing of pool selling. I 
remember now that Mr. McHenry 
was called to the judges' stand and 
he was there, evidently in very 
earnest conversation, as I was led 
away to the barns. My owner was 
also on the grounds and he looked 
62 



OF DAN PATCH 

cross and worried but did not talk 
much. 

McHenry's interview with the 
judges must have been very much 
to the point for matters were entirely 
different in the next heat. McHenry 
drove but there was no holding back. 
I won as I pleased in 2 :04 J^ and this 
ended all discussion about which was 
the best horse. I never lost another 
heat in a race. The other heats of 
this race, as those of all my other 
races during the season, were won 
with ease. 

Little by little I learned more of 
race track practice and etiquette. I 
heard discussions about "book 
making" and "fixed racing" but my 
phenomenal speed and determination 
to win gave my driver little chance 
63 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

to do anything crooked had he so 
desired. Each heat I paced gave 
me added confidence and before the 
end of the season I felt sure that I 
could outpace any horse in harness. 

During the year I won races at 
Windsor, Detroit, Cleveland, Colum- 
bus, Buffalo, Brighton Beach, Read- 
ville, Providence, Hartford, Cincin- 
nati, Lexington and Memphis. In 
the fall of 1901 I was taken back to 
Oxford and I knew that I was looked 
upon as the coming world's champion. 
I was the hero of the little town that 
had always been my home and was 
pleased with the praise and admira- 
tion that I so plainly excited among 
the townspeople. 

Among those who were first to wel- 
come me upon my return was the 

64 



OF DAN PATCH 

little girl who had been my play- 
mate two years before. I had grown 
from a colt to a seasoned race horse 
and she was also growing up, but we 
were still friends. She brought me 
sugar and I tried in every way I 
could to show my appreciation and 
to let her know that I remembered 
her. 

Shortly after my home coming, I 
overheard a conversation between 
Messner and others concerning my 
value. They said that several people 
had tried to buy me for large sums 
of money and that all offers had been 
refused. My owner announced that 
I was a gold mine and that he did 
not believe any one could offer enough 
money to induce him to part with me. 
I was proud that I had been the 

65 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

means of giving him pleasure and 
fortune and I was resolved that he 
should never regret his decision not 
to sell me. 

One day, not long after my return, 
there was a great commotion in our 
barn. People ran back and forth, 
talking excitedly. The stall next to 
mine was the center of interest. I 
could not see nor tell what was going 
on, but the next morning I overheard 
a groom say that my stable mate, a 
very valuable young horse, had died 
during the night. It was believed 
that the animal had been poisoned 
and Mr. Messner thought it had been 
done intentionally by some one who 
was jealous of his unusual success. 

I was sorry for the loss of my young 
companion. He had been taken at 

66 



OF DAN PATCH 

the beginning of a most promising 
career. I could not keep from apply- 
ing the happening to myself. How 
terrible it would be to have to give 
up my hopes and aspirations! I 
trembled with an appreciation of the 
numbing power of the grim visitor. 
I wondered when my turn would 
come and fervently hoped that at 
least it would not be until I had lived 
my life and won my title to fame. 
The sad news gave me food for much 
reflection and created a new deter- 
mination to live my life to the full 
while it lasted, but I did not realize 
what an effect it would have upon 
my destiny. 

Later I heard that on this same 
morning Mr. Messner wired McHenry 
in New York that he would accept 
67 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

$20,000 for me. He explained to his 
friends that he was afraid to keep me 
since I might be the next victim of 
his enemies. McHenry immediately 
wired back that he would accept the 
offer. He met Mr. Messner in 
Chicago two days later, closed the 
deal and, seventy-two hours after the 
colt's death, McHenry was in Oxford 
to take possession of me. I did not 
then understand what it was all about 
and wondered that I should be blan- 
keted and shipped away from my com- 
fortable home at that time of the 
year. I was taken to New York, 
where I wintered. 

I had good quarters, but I missed 
the old familiar surroundings and I 
was impatient for the coming of 
summer, for the crowds, the music 

68 



OF DAN PATCH 

and the struggle. I felt that I only 
needed the opportunity to make every 
one admit that I was the fastest horse 
in the world. 

At last spring came and, after the 
spring training, the summer of 1902. 
This season brought work in plenty. 
I defeated Harold H., 2:04; Search- 
light, 2:03*4; Connor, 2 :03^; Indiana, 
2:0424; and Riley H. in races at 
Windsor, Detroit and Cleveland. 
This was the end of my racing career. 

From the time I first left my Indiana 
home until July 22nd, 1902, I paced 
fifty-six contested heats, lost but two 
and did not lose a race. I was not to 
blame for the two heats I lost. I 
could have won both of them easily 
had I been given the chance and I 
have never known how it felt not to 

69 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

be certain that I was the fastest horse 
on the track. I would have continued 
to race, but there were no other 
horses that could make it interesting. 
I had long believed this. At last 
every one admitted it. 



70 



CHAPTER VII. 

I DECLARE WAR AGAINST THE WATCH. 

I was shipped to Columbus, Ohio, 
and on August 2nd, 1902, I experi- 
enced for the first time the sensation 
of racing against a running horse and, 
that hardest of all competitors, the 
stop watch. It was a new game to 
me then and I was full of confidence 
in my ability to beat even Father 
Time himself. Since that day at 
Columbus I have not lost confidence 
in my own ability, but I have gained 
a vast respect for the stop watch. 
Nearly a hundred times during the 
intervening eight years I have made 
attempts to lower track, state and 
world records. 

Many times I have been successful, 
71 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

as the world knows. Many more 
times I have been forced to admit the 
superiority of never-tiring time. It 
has been a war with many battles. 
Each engagement has called forth 
my best endeavors. I have always 
tried and my owners and admirers 
have never been more pleased with 
my victories than have I myself. 

Few people realize the great differ- 
ence between a mile in 1 :55 and one 
in 2:03. No man fully knows what 
a little mud, a little roughness or a 
little wind means to the stout-hearted 
horse trying to reach the coveted wire 
at his highest speed. The discourage- 
ments of these adverse conditions are 
heart-breaking. Every great effort 
gives either the ecstatic joy of victory 
or the stinging sadness of defeat and 
72 



OF DAN PATCH 

I have found the latter much more 
common. 

Did you ever watch college athletes 
in a hundred yard dash? If you did, 
you saw human muscle and energy 
and nerve taxed to the utmost. If 
you did, you saw a human being 
moving at top speed. If you were 
fortunate enough to see high class 
sprinters you saw the distance cov- 
ered in less than eleven seconds and 
when, winded and throbbing from 
the effort, the winner was blanketed 
and led back by the stands to the 
paddock, if the time hung out was 
ten seconds flat, then indeed was a 
hero crowned. 

This supreme human effort results 
in a speed of thirty feet per second. 
Think then of a speed of 45.91 feet 
73 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

per second sustained, not for 100 yards 
(300 feet), but for one mile (5,280 
feet). Think of the power, the mus- 
cle, the nerve, the will required of any 
animal to produce this flight of 
speed so long sustained. I have 
proved that a horse has these powers 
and is capable of this effort. 

Only a horse can know what one 
of these terrific miles means. We are 
not credited with knowing or with 
feeling, but we do both. I know 
what it means when I am taken out 
before thousands of spectators, when 
the bands play, when the people 
shout their approval. It is an old 
experience now and still the sensation 
is ever new. I am proud of the honor 
given me and of the love of these 
people. I know that they expect 
74 



OF DAN PATCH 

me to go faster than any other horse 
has ever gone. I know that I can 
do it, but that I can do it only if the 
wind and weather and track are as 
they should be. Many times I have 
battled against that steadily ticking 
watch when I knew that I could not 
win. Still I believe that every one 
will admit that I have always tried. 
I enjoy the early part of an exhi- 
bition performance, when every time 
I jog past the packed stands, a shout 
of welcome and approval goes up. 
I try to let the people know that I 
appreciate their enthusiastic recep- 
tions and, when I am jogging and 
pacing my warming-up miles I enjoy 
looking over the crowd and bowing 
a greeting, but after all these pleasant 
preliminaries comes the grim struggle. 
75 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

My experience at Lexington in 
October, 1908, is somewhat typical; 
at least it shows how entirely depend- 
ent we are upon circumstances. It 
gives a little idea of the long, hard 
battle against odds that I fought to 
lower my record second by second 
until it stands by itself. That mile 
was one of the last of my great efforts 
and very possibly my impressions of 
it are somewhat composite. If they 
are colored by other experiences they 
may prove no less interesting. At 
any rate the following is an accurate 
account of the facts and my impress- 
ions of that memorable afternoon. 

The track is dragged. All the other 
horses have been taken to the stables 
and, as I score w T ith my two faithful 
pacemakers, Cobweb and "Mag the 

76 



OF DAN PATCH 

Rag," an intense silence settles over 
the people, but not one in the vast 
assembly is more interested or more 
excited than I, just a plain, brown 
horse pulling a white sulky. 

We score twice more. I do not 
mind the scoring now. It is part 
of the "game" and I know that 
everything has to be just right when 
we start on the real test of speed and 
endurance. The fourth time I know 
that I am ready and that my driver 
is. We swing down the stretch 
toward the wire. There is not a skip 
or a quiver. Cobweb in front is 
going as evenly as a gasoline engine 
and I am as close to him as my 
driver will allow. We glide under 
the wire at exactly a two-minute clip. 
The expected "go" of the starter 

77 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

sounds merely mechanical. I know 
it is only the signal for the click of 
the timers' watches against which 
I am racing and my mind is too 
intent upon my work to notice the 
now familiar word. 

The pace seems slow. I have never 
been able to get over the desire to go 
faster at the start and still I know 
that all the strength I have will be 
called into play before I again turn 
into the home stretch and so I have 
learned not to fret or waste a particle 
of energy. I simply keep as close 
as possible to the spinning wheels 
of the sulky in front and wonder 
what the end will be. We hug the 
fence. I do not need to be guided 
because I know better than any one 
that the shortest mile is the one near- 

78 



OF DAN PATCH 

est the "pole." Left to myself I would 
never go a "wide mile" no matter what 
the track and we never do when the 
footing close in is good at all. 

I know that the first half mile will 
be easy. I have never gone to the 
half without feeling that I could have 
gone faster. We pass the quarter 
mile pole in twenty-nine seconds and 
I know that is according to schedule. 
We turn into the back stretch. Cob- 
web responds to the shouted order 
of my driver. The pace quickens, 
but it is easy to keep up. We flash 
past the half in 56J^ seconds, a 1 :53 
gait. Again it is as planned. I feel 
strong and ready for redoubled 
efforts. I have forgotten the people, 
the wind, the weather, everything. 
I am filled with only one desire — to 

79 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

win a new world's record. I believe 
I can do it. Everything seems pos- 
sible to me now and as we pass the 
five-eighths pole I keep thinking over 
and over to myself "I must win! I 
will win!" 

I have not lost an inch from the 
now fairly flying pacemaker in front 
and I do not realize that every nerve 
and muscle is strained to near the 
breaking point. We are at the three- 
quarters pole in 1:25, tw T o seconds 
faster than when I made my world's 
record at Hamline in 1907. As we 
turn into the stretch, for the first time 
I feel the terrific strain. It is terrible 
but I must, I will go on. My driver 
has not said a word of encouragement. 
I have not needed it before, but now 
I wonder if he is not going to help me. 
80 



OF DAX PATCH 

The multitude of people and the 
judges' stand are only a dim blur in 
the distance and it seems, oh, so 
great a distance! "I will win!" I 
gain a few inches on the pacemaker, 
whose driver is now using the whip. 
We are at the seven-eighths pole 
when suddenly Cobweb wobbles, 
slows down. I feel a quick pull on 
the bit and swerve to one side to clear 
the sulky wheel in front of me. The 
quick sideward motion almost throws 
me off my stride, but I recover with- 
out a break. Wonder at the cause 
of the trouble, thought of my running 
mate, fear for myself and all fatigue 
leave me as I hear my driver call on 
me for a last effort. I realize that 
but a second before I had a world's 
record within my grasp. I may still 
win it. 

81 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

I put forth one of the greatest 
efforts of my life. I rush on and 
under the wire alone. Cobweb has 
fallen back to a place alongside. 
I slow down. A death-like stillness 
has settled over the multitude while 
the timers compare watches. I throb 
with the exertion and I listen for the 
signs of victory or defeat, but in my 
heart I know that I was too late, that 
the chance of a lifetime has been lost. 
I turn round and walk back toward 
the excited thousands in the stands 
and on the track and my lack of 
breath and weariness is forgotten 
in the heart-breaking consciousness 
that I have failed. 

That it was no fault of mine, that 
I finished the mile in 1 :56^i, several 
seconds faster than any other horse 
82 



OF DAN PATCH 

ever paced a mile, and that the 
multitude is giving me an ovation 
do not compensate me for the victory 
lost. Lost because of a broken blood 
vessel over Cobweb's eye! It was 
nothing serious to him, but to me and 
to my owner, driver and friends it 
meant a loss that I shall never be 
able to make up. 



83 



CHAPTER VIII. 

I MOVE TO MY MINNESOTA HOME. 

I did not know all of these things 
that August day when I first paced 
against time at Columbus. I started 
to beat 2:0134, the record of my 
famous sire. It was all strange to 
me and, as I remember it now, I 
hardly knew what it was all about 
until I had finished the mile and my 
time of 2:0024 was hung up. I had 
lowered the family record but I knew 
that I could have gone faster. I was 
disappointed. Of course I liked the 
people's enthusiasm and as a result 
of it I resolved to do better. I could 
and I felt I owed it to myself as well 
as to the public. 

Some way nothing has ever satis- 

84 



OF DAN PATCH 

fied me but my utmost. My lesser 
efforts have brought praise but not 
satisfaction. I have always figured 
that I had to live with myself and a 
knowledge that I had done my best 
made me a better companion. 

From Columbus I was shipped to 
Brighton Beach, where an immense 
crowd watched me try to lower the 
record of that great pacer, Star 
Pointer. The weather was unfavor- 
able and the pacemakers were not 
driven properly in the first quarter. 
When I was ready the pacemakers 
were in the way and when they were 
out of the way I could not make my 
tiring legs move as they should. 
I tied my Columbus mark of 2:00%. 

At Readville I started to beat 
2:00M- In the first trial I struck 
85 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

my sulky wheel with my hind leg 
and the pain caused me to jump into 
a break and I was pulled up and 
jogged under the wire. Thirty 
minutes afterwards I started again 
and easily paced a mile in 2:00 34 > 
thus bettering the record of John R. 
Gentry. This left but one mark 
between me and the world's record, 
that of Star Pointer. 

At Providence, R. I., I reduced my 
own record, paced my first mile under 
two minutes and came within a 
quarter of a second of tying Star 
Pointer's mark of 1:59J^. At the 
Readville Breeders' meeting, before 
a mammoth crowd, I tied Star Point- 
er's and the world's mile record and 
the enthusiastic reception given me 
after the effort was one that I shall 
never forget. 

86 



OF DAN PATCH 

Over a hard track at New York I 
paced two miles, but failed to lower 
my record and at Syracuse, N. Y., 
before a record-breaking crowd, failed 
again but aroused great enthusiasm 
by pacing a mile in 2:00%. Next 
I paced a mile in two minutes over 
the Belmont Park track at Phila- 
delphia and was then shipped to 
Davenport, Iowa, where I lowered 
the track record to 2:01, a feat which 
I duplicated at Terre Haute a few 
days later. 

I paced a mile in the mud in 2:03 
at Cincinnati and was then shipped 
to Memphis, where I tried twice to 
lower the world's record, but cir- 
cumstances were against me, The 
best I could do was 2:00%. 

This closed my 1902 season and I 

87 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

was shipped back to New York. 

In December of this year I was 
purchased by M.W. Savage of Minne- 
apolis for $60,000. One thing about 
my lot that hurts is that I can be 
sold for mere money. It is humili- 
ating but it is custom and I have 
tried to accept it as such. A grain 
of comfort lies in the knowledge that 
it took more money to buy me than 
was ever paid for any other pacer. 
Now I know that I am not for sale. 
Money could not induce my owner 
to part with me, as he has refused 
$180,000 and I believe would refuse 
many times that amount. 

I went to Minnesota with fear in 
my heart. I had heard of the cold 
and the storms of the northern coun- 
try and I did not believe that I could 
88 



OF DAN PATCH 

be comfortable or happy there. It 
was a long ship, but my reception 
in the Mill City was so enthusiastic 
that my fears began to disappear. 
That first winter, 1903, I was quar- 
tered in the stable at Mr. Savage's 
city home. I was exercised to sleigh. 
I made friends with Mr. Savage's son 
and his boy friends and a few times 
they were allowed to drive me. 

It was thought strange that such 
a valuable horse as I should be 
trusted to any one but an expert. 
Those who were surprised did not 
know me. They did not realize that 
a horse has sense, recognizes his 
friends and knows enough to take care 
of himself. Often the cold, bracing 
Minnesota air filled me with a desire 
to jump and run, but I remembered 

89 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

what was expected of me and I had 
learned, through my early training, 
that I must take no chances of being 
injured and must conserve my ener- 
gies for the efforts that were to make 
me more famous. So passed the first 
winter in Minnesota. I won friends 
who have been my friends ever since 
and the people who had to care for 
me learned to know and depend on me. 
This winter I became acquainted 
with Charlie Plummer, who has ever 
since been a most faithful caretaker. 
He has worked days and nights and, 
in spite of my owner's Methodism, 
he has worked Sundays to keep my 
condition as perfect as possible. I 
believe that the unremitting care he 
gave me has been, in large part, 
responsible for my ability to keep 
90 



OF DAN PATCH 

going. He has always seemed to 
understand whatever aches or pains 
or strains I had. He has helped me 
out and has made me ready for great 
efforts when, without him, I should 
have been unable to keep my engage- 
ments. 

In 1903, still in charge of Mr. 
McHenry, I filled fifteen engage- 
ments over good, bad and indifferent 
tracks at widely separated places and 
paced seven miles under two minutes, 
two of them to wagon. Everywhere 
I was given royal receptions and at 
the end of the season I had won the 
world's record for two miles, one mile, 
a half mile and a mile to wagon and 
I was the undisputed champion har- 
ness horse of the world. My ambi- 
tions had been gratified. I was in a 
91 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

class by myself, but I was far from 
being satisfied. I knew that I had 
not reached my limit and, later on, 
I proved it. 



92 



CHAPTER IX. 

MY FIGHT FOR LIFE. 

In 1904 I was driven for the first 
time by Harry Hersey, who has since 
been my trainer and driver. Right 
here I had better say just what I 
think of Hersey and get it out of my 
system. I do not believe he had ever 
handled high class horses before he 
took charge of me. He was extremely 
fortunate in taking me just when I 
had learned the racing and the exhi- 
bition games thoroughly, had mas- 
tered the art of sustaining for an 
entire mile my extreme flights of 
speed and was prepared, by experience, 
for the greatest performances of my 
career. As those who have read this 
far know, I was very ambitious and 
93 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

never spared any effort to win new 
laurels. These things all helped to 
make my trainer's task an easy one. 
Of course I continued to "go on" 
and of course Hersey was given great 
credit therefor. To just how much 
of this he was entitled I will leave it 
for the reader to judge. 

This I can say for him. He was 
industrious and his theory and work 
in preparing me for supreme efforts 
were masterful. He never asked of 
me more than I was physically fit 
to do. But when it came to driving 
me almost any one could have done 
as w r ell. I never felt the love for 
him that was inspired by my first 
driver nor the confidence in his ability 
and courage that I fell when Mc- 
Henry was up behind me. Perhaps 
94 



OF DAN PATCH 

I am an egotist but I have always 
resented the oft-repeated statement 
that ".Hersey made Dan Patch." 
My honest opinion is that Dan Patch 
made Hersey. However this may 
be, we worked together in harmony 
as we both strove to attain the same 
object — the winning of new world's 
records. 

My early exhibitions of this first 
year under Hersey' s direction were 
oyer a number of bad tracks, but I 
did the best I could and I believe 
those who know will bear me out 
when I say that, conditions con- 
sidered, I did not give a bad speed 
exhibition. 

About the middle of September I 
had my first and practically my only 
experience with severe sickness. I 

95 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

was at Tokepa, Kansas. The day 
before I was booked to give an exhi- 
bition I was suddenly taken with 
awful pains in my stomach. I suf- 
fered so that I cannot remember 
much of what happened. It is all 
like a terrible dream. I knew there 
was great excitement. I remember 
fighting to be free from my care- 
takers. It seemed that I must run 
or roll or do something to stop the 
pain. I was crazed with it. 

For nineteen hours I fought and 
rolled and suffered. Men came and 
went and worked over me. At last 
the pain stopped. I rested, ex- 
hausted by my fight for life. I recall 
that when I regained partial con- 
sciousness I recognized my owner, 
summoned by telegram. I knew 
96 



OF DAN PATCH 

dimly that my trainer, caretaker and 
three or four grave-faced men, prob- 
ably veterinarians, were in my stall. 
They were all watching me and evi- 
dently resting from strenuous work. 
A group of horsemen was standing 
near the door and I weakly wondered 
but was content to rest. 

Later I realized that these men 
were talking in subdued tones and 
were expressing opinions, theories, 
beliefs and hopes. I understood that 
I had been a very sick horse, that I 
had stood in the shadow. I heard one 
of them say that probably I would 
live but that I would not be able 
to do much for a long time. I did 
not care then. I was too tired. All 
I knew was that I must rest. I for- 
got the sore and raw places that com- 

97 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

pletely covered my body and slept. 
When I awoke I felt more like myself 
and knew that I would soon be well 
and strong again. 

My courage and spirit returned 
rapidly and my strength grew in pro- 
portion. After a day's rest I was 
shipped home and soon was working 
on the farm track. A week later 
I heard Hersey say that I was 
"rounding to in great shape." 

That was enough. I was demon- 
strating the value of nerve and ambi- 
tion, even in a horse, and I tried 
harder than ever. After a few more 
days' jogging I was shipped to Spring- 
field, 111., and surprised every one by 
pacing an exhibition mile in 2:04. 
I felt like myself again and was ready 
for any sort of a trial. 
98 



OF DAN PATCH 

On October 24th, at Memphis, 
Teim., scarcely a month after my 
sickness, I lowered the world's record 
by pacing a mile in 1 :56. I also had 
the honor of clipping a second off the 
world's record for a mile over a half- 
mile track at Oklahoma City on No- 
vember 18th. 

That I had a remarkably robust 
constitution was proven by this speedy 
recovery and return to championship 
form. It has since done much to 
make my life easy. Before and since 
this sickness in Kansas I have scarcely 
known what ill-health was and I am 
sure that a long life, free from physical 
suffering, remains for me. 



$9 



CHAPTER X. 

MY SEASONS OF '05 AND '06. 

I was prepared for my 1905 season 
on the International farm track. My 
first start was made at the Minne- 
sota State Fair on September 1st 
before sixty thousand people. I 
paced a mile in 1:593/2, and on Sat- 
urday of the same week repeated the 
performance in two seconds' better 
time. After giving an exhibition at 
the Indiana State Fair I was shipped 
to Allentown, Pa., where, before a 
crowd of more than eighty thousand 
people, I lowered the world's record 
for a mile on a half-mile track to 2:01. 
It has remained there ever since. 

One of the most enthusiastic recep- 
tions I have ever enjoyed was given 

100 



OF DAN PATCH 

me at Lexington the fall of this year, 
when I again lowered the world's 
record, pacing the mile in 1:553^. 
The memory of this scene when the 
warm-hearted, horse-loving Kentuck- 
ians vied with each other in expressing 
their joy and admiration, is one of 
the most pleasant in my collection. 
I was given one of the most beautiful 
wreaths of flowers that I ever have 
received and altogether the day was 
an intensely happy one. 

Immediately after my efforts at 
Lexington I paid my first visit to 
Canada. At Toronto on October 
20th I lowered the Canadian half- 
mile track record three seconds. I 
was then shipped away back to Mem- 
phis, Tenn., where, after two unsuc- 
cessful trials, I finally succeeded in 
101 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

lowering the world's unpaced record 
by pacing a mile in 1:58. 

For the uninitiated I will say that 
an unpaced mile, according to the 
rules of the National and American 
Trotting Associations, is one in which 
the running pacemaker does not pre- 
cede the harness horse trying for 
a record. My miles against time, 
from the beginning, had been paced 
with one pacemaker in front and one 
behind or alongside. I had grown 
used to following the steady going 
"Cobweb" and no matter how fast 
he ran I never let him take the back 
of his driver far from my nose. I 
suppose this pacemaker is something 
of a windbreak. At least many people 
claim it is, but to me it is more of a 
gauge of pace and an inspiration. 
102 



OF DAN PATCH 

The habit had grown strong with me 
and without this incentive a fast mile 
was much more difficult. I have been 
asked several times to go "in the 
open." Four times I have equalled 
1:5934, the world's unpaced mile 
record, until Minor Heir lowered it 
to 1:583^ in 1910. 

At Memphis I outdid all former 
efforts and went in 1 :58. This is the 
fastest mile ever paced "in the open." 
I was not given credit for it in the 
official records, however, as the men 
"higher up" ruled that I had a 
"lower record, another way of going." 
That is to say I had a record of 1 :5534, 
made with a running pacemaker in 
front. This way of going was form- 
erly recognized and horses given 
credit in the official records for these 
103 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

performances. In 1904, for some 
unpublished reason, the rules com- 
mittee of the American Trotting 
Association decided that, in order to 
get a record, a horse must not be 
preceded at any part of the mile by 
a running pacemaker. 

That is the reason my official record 
is 1:55J4 instead of 1:55, the latter 
mark having been made after the 
above ruling. Nevertheless 1 :55 is 
my record in the popular mind and 
also my mile in 1 :58 is recognized 
by horsemen as one of my greatest 
efforts and the fastest mile ever paced 
by any harness horse without a pace- 
maker in front. It is hard to under- 
stand the reasoning of the officials 
who refused to allow this record, but 
I suppose they thought they were 

104 



OF DAN PATCH 

right and really it doesn't make much 
difference. 

From Memphis I was shipped to 
Minneapolis, where I was met by a 
band and enjoyed a procession up 
Nicollet Avenue, cheered by thou- 
sands of the horse-loving citizens of 
my home town. This recognition 
was gratifying. My friends felt that 
the fact that I had traveled six thou- 
sand miles, lowered four world's 
records and appeared before two hun- 
dred and fifty thousand people in 
seventy days was enough to warrant 
some little demonstration on their 
part. 

During the following winter, as 

during the winter of 1903-1904, I was 

kept at Mr. Savage's town home and 

was given my exercise hitched to a 

105 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

sleigh and driven about the city. 
This was my last winter in town, 
however, and since then I have spent 
all of my time, between exhibition 
seasons, on the International Stock 
Farm at Savage, Minn. 

In 1906 I traveled from Canada to 
Alabama, but the principal event 
of the season occurred on the Minne- 
sota State Fair grounds, where I 
appeared on September 3rd before a 
crowd of over ninety thousand people 
and again on September 8th, when I 
made permanent horse history. 

It was before a great crowd and in 
the presence of my owner and many 
of his friends on our own state fair 
track that I paced this great mile. 
It was a supreme effort. I had been 
on several tracks faster than was the 
106 



OF DAN PATCH 

one at Hamline, but I presume there 
was never a more perfect day and my 
condition was ideal. 

I went to the half at a terrific clip 
and the slightly uneven footing tired 
me to such an extent that at the 
three-quarter pole I almost lost heart. 
My feet felt as though they were 
weighted with lead and for a second I 
could not respond to the call made 
upon me for the finish. Then I saw 
the expectant thousands who filled the 
stands and overflowed upon the track. 
I knew that my owner and friends 
were there and were hoping, yes, 
even praying; and that the multi- 
tude was calling upon me to "come 
on. 

I forgot everything to answer them 
with a burst of speed that I would 
107 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

have thought impossible a few seconds 
before. As I finished, the multitude 
seemed to hold its breath. I turned 
and was walking back toward the 
stands when the new world's record 
of 1 :55 was hung out by the timers. 
My greeting was the tumultuous 
cheers of thousands who paid tribute 
to my speed and endurance and thus 
proclaimed me the greatest of living 
harness horses. 

Some experts with the stop watch 
insist that my mile was a fraction of a 
second better than that. However, 
the time hung out was 1:55 and the 
wild applause seemed to indicate that 
1 :55 was sufficient. I was happy that 
I should have accomplished the feat 
at home and I felt fully repaid for 
my straining effort. 
108 



OF DAN PATCH 

Never before was I made to feel so 
certainly that I had done something 
wonderful. The people told me in 
every possible way and I thrilled with 
a pride that even those who knew me 
never guessed. Men, women and 
children vied with each other and with 
the bands, in noisy efforts to celebrate 
the making of a new world's record. 
Thousands of enthusiastic people 
crowded onto the race track and 
almost fought to get near me as I was 
unhitched and led away to the stables. 
A dozen policemen were unable to 
hold back the eager crowd and, as I 
walked triumphant through the 
press, I was patted and talked to and 
some people even went so far as to 
pull hair from my tail — souvenirs, I 
guess, that perhaps are now part of 
109 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

watch chains. Even these familiari- 
ties did not bother me then. I was 
exalted by all the mad rejoicing and 
knew little but the joy of my great 
victory. I cannot analyze nor 
describe my feelings of that hour, but 
I can recall vividly the sensation and 
I shall always treasure it. 



110 



CHAPTER XI. 

1907 AND A SERIOUS INJURY. 

The season of 1907 was taken up 
with a number of exhibitions and we 
traveled nearly eight thousand miles. 
Favorable weather and track con- 
ditions could not be secured, however, 
and after two miles under two min- 
utes at Phoenix, Arizona, I was 
shipped to the home farm for the 
winter. I had won new friends, 
but no new world's records. 

It was in September of this year 
that I had the opportunity of making 
some people understand that I knew 
more than horses are usually given 
credit for. The incident happened 
at Columbus, Ohio, and has often 
been referred to as proof of my right 
111 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

to the title of "The Horse that 
Knows." 

I was advertised to start in an 
effort to lower my record of 1:55 at 
the Columbus Grand Circuit Meeting. 
Forty-eight hours before the sched- 
uled exhibition I had been worked 
and was prepared for my cooling out 
walk. In leaving the stable I did 
not notice the low place in front of 
the sill and my front foot slipped 
over and into it. I "knuckled over" 
and severely wrenched the cords over 
my right ankle. I did not mind it 
much at first but, as I walked, my leg 
pained me more and more. 

Soon Plummer led me, limping 
painfully, to my stall and in less than 
an hour my sore leg was being band- 
aged, poulticed and in fact was the 
112 



OF DAN PATCH 

object of unusual attention. Hersey 
was called and he made a careful 
examination. Two more horsemen 
looked at the injured member and 
passed judgment. "Well, I don't 
know, but I am afraid I can't start 
him, " was Hersey's disconsolate state- 
ment. I was afraid also and I felt 
my ankle swelling and soon it pained 
me even while standing in the stall. 
I do not know all that was done 
but I know that the next day I was 
examined by several horse doctors 
including a very eminent authority, 
who I heard had been summoned 
from Chicago. They all shook their 
heads, looked serious and held close 
conferences. I was subjected to hot 
applications and blisters and all of 
them only made the pain seem 
113 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

worse until I became discouraged 
and knew that I could not pace a 
mile the next day. 

I was allowed to rest until about 
two o'clock the next afternoon. Then 
I was groomed and harnessed and I 
began to fear that they were going to 
ask me to give an exhibition in spite 
of my lameness. I tried to show my 
caretakers that I did not want to go. 
I objected to the harness and bit and 
Plummer had to talk to, pet and 
coax me through each stage of the 
preparation. 

Finally I limped to the track gate. 
My driver was there dressed in his 
white coat and cap and apparently 
ready for one of the miles that had 
made me famous. I knew I could 
try but I believed it impossible for 

114 * 



OF DAN PATCH 

me to do anything creditable and 
any kind of a mile would cause me 
untold pain. I saw the multitude 
in the stands. I heard the bands. 
I knew people were watching and 
waiting for the world's champion 
and that they would see only a limp- 
ing horse. My pride was hurt. I 
would not go out and parade my 
weakness before the thousands who 
expected so much. For the first time 
in my life I hated the crowds and the 
music. I would not go. It was rank 
injustice and I would not submit to 
it. For the first and last time I 
balked. 

Hersey had mounted the sulky. 

He spoke gently to me. I planted 

my front feet and shook my head. 

He spoke more sharply. I would not 

115 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

move. Could they — would they not 
understand? 

Plummer stepped to my head and 
asked me to come on. No, I would 
not. I felt the lines tighten. For 
almost the first time in my life I felt 
the sting of a whip. I grew more 
stubborn. I would not move. I only 
shook my head, hoping they would 
understand. A number of the horse- 
men standing around the gate came 
closer and stood in astonishment to 
see Dan Patch refusing to do what 
was asked of him. 

At length, after fifteen minutes of 
persuasion, some one said, "He seems 
to know that he can't do himself 
justice and he doesn't want to be 
humiliated, but we've got to show 
that howling mob that he's really 
116 



OF DAN PATCH 

lame or we'll never live to tell how it 
happened." 

That changed everything. I was 
only going to be shown. The people 
were entitled to that. All my re- 
sistance ceased and I walked slowly, 
limpingly through the gate and down 
the track past the expectant thou- 
sands. A wave of recognition passed 
over the multitude, then silence! I 
limped painfully and kept my head 
down as far as the check rein would 
permit and shook it to tell them, as 
best I could, that I was sorry and 
didn't want to be there. I didn't 
look at the stands. I didn't want 
to see any one. I was grieved and 
ashamed. 

The silence was broken by a few 
exclamations as people began to real- 
117 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

ize that I was really lame and prob- 
ably suffering. The "ohs" multi- 
plied until the thousands united in a 
low, soothing chorus of kindness and 
sympathy that was most affecting. 
I knew I was understood and I 
went back to the stable suffering 
but happy. It helped wonderfully 
to know that people believed in me 
and could sympathize with the suffer- 
ing of even a horse. 



118 



CHAPTER XII. 

1908 AND 1909 — A RIVAL FAVORITE. 

We started the season of 1908 with 
a great hurrah and a new world's 
record. This was a workout mile 
on the farm track in 2:00. It was 
on August 11th and a number of 
newspaper men were guests of my 
master. I had been having a lot of 
preliminary work and when I saw the 
sporting editors and the two runners 
on the track as I came out for my 
third heat I knew something out of 
the ordinary was on the program. 

I never felt better. The day was 
perfect and the track lightning fast. 
We got away at a two-minute clip 
and it seemed slow. I felt that there 
was no limit to my speed and I was 
119 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

annoyed that Nash, driving "Cob- 
web," would not get out of my way. 
I shook my head that I wanted to go 
faster but my signals were unheeded. 
We did not vary the pace and I 
finished without any exhaustion. 

As I came back to where my visitors 
were waiting, my owner hurried up 
to me and patting me on the neck 
said, "Good boy, Dan, the world will 
never see another like you." I was 
happy and knew that I had done 
something remarkable although it had 
seemed commonplace enough. 

As Plummer started me toward the 
barn I heard one of the sporting 
editors say, "Wonderful! Every 
eighth in fifteen seconds and every 
quartei in thirty seconds! That's 
surely the greatest workout in 
history!" 

120 



OF DAN PATCH 

"I'm afraid it is," replied Hersey. 
" I didn't want to go a mile like that. " 

"But I did and I wish it had been 
faster" I wanted to say, but my 
opinion was not asked. 

The workout had no bad results 
and I was ready for greater efforts if 
opportunity had been kind to me. 
The rest of the season, however, was 
uneventful since we spent most of 
the time waiting for an opportunity 
to try for a world's record on a good 
track. This opportunity did not pre- 
sent itself until at Lexington, Ky., 
when, after a bad start, I finally got 
away and went to the three-quarter 
pole two seconds faster than when I 
made my mile in 1 :55. Then the 
broken blood vessel, of which I have 
already told you, prevented the fast- 
est of all fast miles. 

121 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

Six years after he bought me Mr. 
Savage bought Minor Heir, a pacer 
of unusual speed and a good dispo- 
sition. I remember when he was 
first brought to the farm in December, 
1908. It was a cold, winter day and 
I was surprised at having the usual 
quiet of the stable interrupted by the 
preparation of a stall across from 
mine and the excitement incident to 
having another champion brought to 
his new home. 

I had heard much of the perform- 
ances of this great son of Heir-at-Law, 
but had never seen him until the day 
following his arrival, when we were 
jogged on the half mile track at the 
same time. I felt instinctively that 
this horse was my rival and I looked 
him over very carefully. I noticed 
122 



OF DAN PATCH 

with some satisfaction that he was 
my inferior in size, but had to admit 
that he was perfectly proportioned 
and that his way of going was smooth 
and beautiful to behold. I noticed 
that he was driven with blinders, 
an indignity I never suffered. I 
explained this on the ground that the 
younger horse seemed nervous. And 
I derived a little pleasure out of the 
wicked thought that this defect would 
not help to make him popular. 

The newcomer was lighter in color 
than I, but the seal brown of his coat, 
contrasted with his black mane and 
tail, made him truly attractive. During 
the spring and early summer training 
of 1909 we became better acquainted. 
Little by little, however, I under- 
stood the attitude of my owner, 
123 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

trainer and friends and I knew that 
my place was secure. I grew to 
admire Minor Heir's many good quali- 
ties and knew that he had unusual 
speed, but felt confident that there 
was no chance of his beating me when 
I was in condition. Gradually we 
became friends and since I have 
tested him under the trying condi- 
tions of travel and on the race track, 
I desire to see him succeed. If any 
one ever lowers my world's records 
I hope it will be this great little horse. 
The season of 1909 was filled with 
travel, experiences, exhibitions and 
many discomforts. Minor Heir and 
I were booked to appear in a number 
of match races on various tracks 
throughout the United States. In 
all we traveled about thirteen thou- 
124 



OF DAN PATCH 

sand miles. An injury to one of my 
legs made it impossible, for me to 
appear at a number of fairs where our 
race was scheduled. I regretted this 
more than my trainers or the public 
could have done. Later in the sea- 
son, however, I improved and paced 
several exhibition races, the majority 
of which I won. 

We toured the- south and at Shreve- 
port, La., our popularity and the zeal 
of our caretakers came near resulting 
disastrously. One day my afternoon 
nap was interrupted by an unusual 
commotion. I overheard a heated 
argument between some would-be 
visitors and the men in charge of 
our stable. While I was not a wit- 
ness I have heard the incident. dis- 
cussed so many times that I know the 
125 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

details. The visitors were informed 
that they could not see Minor Heir 
nor myself and thereupon one of them 
tried to force his way into Minor 
Heir's stall. Our blacksmith and one 
or two of our caretakers resisted. 
A fight followed, in which the visitors 
came out second best. A policeman 
was called and the entire party landed 
in jail. The difficulty was adjusted, 
however, and except for the fact that 
we had an extra guard of friends dur- 
ing the next two nights things went 
on as usual. 

We gave an exhibition a few days 
later and were received with every 
evidence of enthusiasm by an im- 
mense crowd of generous, genuine 
horse lovers. From Shreveport we 
were shipped to Phoenix, Arizona, 
126 



OF DAN PATCH 

where both Minor Heir and I paced 
our fastest miles of the season. 

At Los Angeles, Cal., on November 
25th and December 4th, we gave 
exhibitions before enthusiastic crowds 
of people who knew and appreciated 
high class horses. After my last exhi- 
bition mile on December 4th, when 
I was being led back to receive a 
beautiful wreath of roses and chrys- 
anthemums, I could not help limping 
very perceptibly. A hushed silence 
fell over the throng and I could hear 
many expressions of sympathy 
which I appreciated. 



127 



CHAPTER XIII. 

A LOS ANGELES ADVENTURE. 

My quarters, while in the Southern 
California city, were at old Agri- 
cultural Park, since rebuilt. It was 
then a run-down, mossy, lonesome, 
spooky place at best. At night it was 
worse. 

Nearly morning on a damp, cold, 
foggy night I was standing half 
awake and half asleep, when I heard 
whispering in front of my stall. I 
listened without moving. Then came 
a little rasping sound, a squeak and a 
rattle as the staple holding the lock 
was jerked out and fell to the ground. 
The door slowly opened. A head 
appeared out of the gray blackness 
and a man whispered, "He's all right. 
Come on." 

128 



OF DAN PATCH 

I was not so sure that I was all right 
and as the two stealthily entered I 
backed away from them and turned 
so as to protect myself in case they 
showed undue familiarity. One of 
the men stood by the door while the 
other came toward me cautiously, 
holding out his hand in a way that I 
would have recognized in the day- 
time as meaning a lump of sugar. I 
did not like the look of things, how- 
ever, and was not to be trapped. As 
fast as the intruder moved toward 
my head I moved my heels. When 
I had turned nearly round in my 
stall so that I faced the man standing 
by the door he stepped forward and 
reached up as though to grasp my 
foretop. 

I repelled this attack by a vicious 

129 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

snap of my teeth, at the same time 
keeping my eye on the man still try- 
ing to approach me from the rear. 
I was not sure but that the visitors had 
a right there and I did not feel 
warranted in openly attacking them, 
but I was determined to know that 
their business was legitimate before 
I gave them any advantage. The 
three of us continued to maneuver 
for positions for several minutes un- 
til finally the man who had first en- 
tered the stall evidently became 
discouraged and stood still. 

After a moment's quiet he ex- 
claimed in a hoarse whisper, "I don't 
know what's the matter with him. 
I never saw him act like this before. 
I guess he's wise that we have no 
business here at this time of night." 
130 



OF DAN PATCH 

I thought I recognized familiar 
tones in his voice and turned half 
around to try to get a better view. 
Taking heart at my change of posi- 
tion the man again held out his hand, 
saying coaxingly, " Daniel, old boy, 
don't you know me? Come over here 
and have some sugar. Nobody is 
going to hurt you." 

That made all the difference in the 
world. I recognized the intruder as 
the publicity man for our combina- 
tion and felt sure that his errand, even 
at this time of night, was a friendly 
one. I let him approach and eagerly 
accepted the proffered lump of sugar. 
As I munched this and looked for 
more my friend stroked my nose and 
patted my neck and grew somewhat 
confidential. 

131 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

"I thought you wouldn't forget 
your old friend," he whispered be- 
tween pats. "You've a wise old head 
and I don't blame you for being 
suspicious of visitors who call on you 
at such unfashionable hours. We 
aren't going to let any harm come to 
you, Dan, and if you will be good and 
help us out we'll pull off the best 
advertising stunt you ever heard of." 

As he continued I felt more at ease, 
partially due to repeated trips to his 
pocket which seemed to contain an 
inexhaustible supply of sugar. 

"I might as well let you in on the 
whole game as I think you will appre- 
ciate it and we need your co-opera- 
tion," continued my friend as he 
handed me another lump and put 
his arm affectionately about my neck. 
132 



OF DAN PATCH 

"You see we have about run dry on 
the regular dope and something's got 
to be done to get the people excited. 
The answer is that you are to be 
kidnapped. Now don't get excited. 
You are to be properly cared for and 
you will be returned in due season. 
We have it all framed up. If we can 
get you out of this bloomin' stall and 
safely away from the fair grounds you 
will soon be hidden in a deserted 
house near by that we have fitted up 
as comfortably as you could wish. 

"We are taking hay, feed and water 
and you will be as snug as a bug in 
a rug until you are opportunely dis- 
covered by some brave detectives. 
We will leave for our friend Hersey, a 
villainous looking scrawl in which 
he is instructed to bring a large sum 
133 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

of cash at a certain time to a certain 
deserted place, on the threat that if 
he doesn't come and come alone he'll 
never see Dan Patch again. That's 
just a bluff and merely for the news- 
papers. You've been in the adver- 
tising game for some time yourself, 
old horse, and you can imagine what 
will happen when the police and the 
Pinkertons are notified tomorrow 
morning not that the baby son of a mil- 
lionaire has been kidnapped, but that 
the fastest and most valuable animal 
in the world has been horsenapped. 
"There will be something doing 
all over the United States. All I hope 
is there won't be a riot when the news 
gets to Mr. Savage at Minneapolis. 
No, don't worry about me. I will 
be out in the country with a letter 
134 



OF DAN PATCH 

perfect alibi in my jeans and you will 
be quiet and peaceful until some well 
instructed swipe finds you and claims 
all the rewards that have been offered. 
You'll be found and brought back 
in plenty of time for Saturday's big 
exhibition. Now you've got the 
facts, old pal. Will you help us?" 
The story of the kidnapping plan 
was enough to stagger the imagina- 
tion of a man, to say nothing of a 
horse, and I naturally did not digest 
it all, but I believed in my newspaper 
friend and, while I wondered at how 
it all would end, I was willing to take 
a chance and help him as much as I 
could. While I was trying to make 
up my mind what would be desired 
of me I almost unconsciously nosed 
about his pockets for more sugar 
135 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

and, evidently taking this for my 
assent, he continued. 

"We must be getting out of here, 
Dan, and the first thing to do is to 
wrap up your feet so that no one will 
recognize and follow your shoe marks 
in the soft ground outside." 

Having once made up my mind to 
be a party to the scheme I let the men 
proceed as they saw fit. I made no 
sound and the men worked together 
as quietly as possible in the straw. 
One at a time they put my feet in 
great sacks which they tied firmly 
around my legs. When three feet 
had been muffled, one of them raised 
my fourth foot while the other groped 
about in the straw. Finally he hissed 
"We've lost one bag." 

"H ," replied the other as he 

136 



OF DAN PATCH 

set my foot down. "We'll have to 
go back. We won't dare to take 
him out with even one foot un- 
mufiled as any fool will know the 
mark of Dan's shoe. " With that they 
stole away, closing the door quietly. 

I waited, nervous and interested. 
They had been gone only a few sec- 
onds when I heard a shout and some 
loud talking. 

"Are you a detective?" asked some 
one in a big, rough voice. 

"Yes, and if you don't keep quiet 
I'll run you in," came the barely 
audible reply, but loud enough so 
that I recognized the voice of our 
press agent and wondered how long 
he had been on the police force. 

"Well, you're just the man I want. 
Jim Johnson stole fourteen dollars 

137 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

from me tonight and he's hiding 
around these grounds," was the new- 
comer's answer in a slightly lower 
tone, but one still loud enough to be 
heard for a block or more. 

I could not catch my friend's 
answer, but the loud-voiced man con- 
tinued to tell his troubles for several 
minutes until, evidently satisfied, he 
drove away. 

The talk outside had aroused Plum- 
mer and the other caretakers, who 
slept in a room adjoining my stall. 
They discussed at some length the 
cause of the conversation, but finally 
decided that it was no business of 
theirs and with some uncomplimenta- 
ry remarks about disturbers of the 
peace, evidently went back to sleep. 

I waited impatiently for the next 
138 



OF DAN PATCH 

move in this midnight game. After 
what seemed an interminable period, 
the deadly stillness was broken by 
whispers in front of my door. 

"It's all off," said the voice of my 
friend. "It would be an awful chance 
trying to get him out now after the 
bunch has been once w T aked up. If we 
did succeed the minute the papers came 
out with headlines about Dan Patch 
being kidnapped, that fool and his 
fourteen dollars would loom up in the 
offing. He wouldn't lose much time 
in tearing for the police station and 
he would hand over to them a life-like 
description of 'yours truly.' Then 
it would be all up with me." 

"I guess you're right," replied the 
second plotter. "It's tough, though. 
Everything perfectly arranged, that 

139 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

haunted house and all ! Curses on the 
cards!" 

My press agent came quietly into 
the stall and handing me a lump of 
sugar said dejectedly, "Have another 
one on me, Dan. It wasn't your 
fault. That chump's righteous wrath 
over losing fourteen dollars has cost us 
ten thousand dollars' worth of adver- 
tising and all our work has gone for 
nothing. Never mind though, old 
fellow, probably it was all for the best. 
Perhaps you might have caught cold 
in that old house and all the adver- 
tising in the world would not have 
paid for that." Whereupon the two 
silently unfastened my fantastic foot- 
gear and,with an affectionate goodbye, 
left me alone. 

I did not sleep any more that night 
140 



OF DAN PATCH 

and mused long over the ways of men 
and press agents and wondered what 
next they might attempt. I don't 
think that Hersey and my caretakers 
ever knew of the attempted theft. 
If they did they never talked of it 
in my hearing and they have not 
taken any extra precautions although 
that is scarcely necessary as, when- 
ever it is possible, my caretaker sleeps 
in front of my stall door. At home 
he does this winter and summer and, 
when on the road, there have been 
only one or two instances when the 
arrangement of the barn and bad 
weather have made it impracticable. 
However that may be, I have never 
been harmed and have not been yet, 
nor is it now probable that I ever will 
be, kidnapped. 

141 



CHAPTER XIV. 

I AM PERMANENTLY RETIRED. 

On December 5th, 1909, we were 
shipped from Southern California 
across the mountains and into the 
snow. While some of our stable suf- 
fered from the change, I did not notice 
it and was very glad to be back in 
my quarters on the farm. 

My premonition that my exhibi- 
tion at Los Angeles was my last has 
been proved well founded. A long 
rest during the winter of 1909-10 
was not followed by the preparation 
work to which I have been used for 
the past ten years. The winter had 
done much for me and on my daily 
jogs during the spring days I felt 
well and strong although my legs 
142 



OF DAN PATCH 

seemed a little stiff and I did not have 
the old desire to test my speed. I 
was not asked to go fast and I was 
satisfied to jog along enjoying the 
sights and smell of growing things. 
Soon I realized that the other 
horses were being worked in prepara- 
tion for the racing season and I was 
not. I knew instinctively that I was 
through with my great speed efforts 
and, truest of indications, I did not 
feel badly about it. I was satisfied 
with light exercise and rest. Some 
times, jogging on the track, when 
Minor Heir rushed past, I started 
instinctively and felt a flash of the 
old spirit and the call to battle, but 
it was only a flash. Extra effort 
pained my legs and I was content 
to resume my jogging. Slowly it 
143 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

all came to me. I knew I was grow- 
ing old, and sadly but resignedly I 
acknowledged that others would have 
to take up the burdens, command the 
applause, and win the glory that had so 
long been mine. It was the saddest 
lesson of my life, but I had learned 
to be a philosopher and decided to 
get all I could out of what was left. 
As usual I was shipped in my car 
and during the summer and fall 
visited nearly a score of fairs in all 
parts of the United States. At each 
I was provided with commodious 
quarters and my decorated stall 
seemed still to be the Mecca for horse 
lovers. I was tended with as great 
care as ever and given even more 
luxuries. Hitched to a shining white 
wagon, I was exhibited before crowded 
144 



OF DAN PATCH 

stands and watched my stable mates 
race and win the plaudits of the 
multitude. I was not without my 
share of applause, and yet the 
applause was different. It was no 
longer the great, glad tribute inspired 
by a champion about to make new 
world's records. I guess people are 
fickle but they cannot help it. They 
demand action and performance. My 
greatness was now only a memory. 
I forgave them but I longed for the 
end of the season and the return to 
my farm home. I wanted rest and 
privacy and quiet. 

During this trip I had more time 
than ever before in my life to think 
of my surroundings, of the treatment 
I was given and to compare my lot 
with that of the average race horse. 
145 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

I had heard harrowing tales of the 
harsh treatment that many horses 
received. Instances came to my 
notice of horses that were over-worked, 
under-fed, uncomfortably stalled and 
practically left to care for themselves 
after long shipments and hard races. 
I saw some of them loaded into rough 
freight cars with no conveniences and 
learned of their being raced almost 
immediately after being taken from 
cars in which they had been bumped 
about for days at a time. 

I heard of the pain caused by the 
use of inhumane bits, checks, hopples 
and all sorts of strange rigging. Of 
course the great race horses are not 
subjected to this rough treatment, 
but I made up my mind that many a 
good race horse was prevented from 
146 



OF DAN PATCH 

ever doing his best by lack of proper 
care and kindness. 

Observing and thinking of these 
things brought to my attention 
forcibly that my lot had always been 
a very fortunate one. I think for 
the first time I really appreciated the 
fact that from my earliest days I had 
enjoyed every attention and kindness. 
I believe my disposition to do what 
was asked of me assured me better 
treatment than I might otherwise 
have had. However, it was my good 
fortune to have my lot cast with the 
right kind of owners, trainers and 
caretakers. Since I have become a 
world's champion I have been given 
more care and more luxuries and 
probably traveled in better state than 
any other living horse. 
147 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

I have always had one caretaker 
whose only duty was to see that my 
every need was satisfied and, during 
exhibition seasons, two men have been 
detailed to attend me. I have had 
my special car, in which is my rubber 
floored and plush upholstered stall. 
This car is always shipped by express, 
on the fastest passenger trains and I 
have never been kept in it longer than 
was absolutely necessary. On fair 
grounds where I have paced exhi- 
bitions I have always been given a 
large and especially prepared stall, 
this having been incorporated in all 
exhibition contracts made by my 
owner. 

Always I have enjoyed an indivi- 
dual,nickel-plated feed-box and water- 
bucket and wherever there was any 

148 



OF DAN PATCH 

doubt about water or proper feed 
these have been carried for me in 
my car. The horses that have not 
been so fortunate can hardly appre- 
ciate what it means to have these 
comforts and the unceasing care of 
two expert grooms. They cannot 
know how it lessens the hardships 
of travel and eases the tired muscles 
to be continually rubbed, watched 
and petted. 

During this last season the stable 
of which I was the head presented 
an imposing spectacle. Besides my- 
self there was Minor Heir, Hedge- 
wood Boy, Lady Maud C. and George 
Gano, all of them famous pacers, and 
a varying number of younger horses, 
most of them my sons and daughters. 
At times there were as many as four- 

149 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

teen horses in the stable and the 
caretakers numbered as high as nine- 
teen, two for each of the famous 
horses and one for each of the younger 
ones. These men, together with the 
head trainer, a second trainer, often 
an assistant driver, a special black- 
smith, our advertising man and mana- 
ger, made up a combination more 
notable than w T as ever before seen 
on any race track. The men with 
us were unusual in the horse world. 
They were all carefully selected and 
each had served an apprenticeship at 
the farm and had passed an exam- 
ination as to sobriety and good 
morals before he was chosen as one 
of the traveling party. 

In the past, roving and worthless 
caretakers, swipes and touts have 
150 



OF DAN PATCH 

done much to give the horse-racing 
business a bad name. From the 
stories I have heard I am sure that 
present conditions are very materi- 
ally improved. I know this to be 
true in the case of our caretakers who 
were a uniformly clean lot of young 
fellows. My owner insisted on a 
few essentials in the men who worked 
for him with his horses. These essen- 
tials were temperance, clean language 
and, most of all, kindness to the horses. 
These rules were and are inexorable 
at the farm and on the road. Any 
one who disobeys them is speedily 
discharged and the enforcing of these 
rules has done much to give the public 
a truer appreciation of our stable, in 
particular, and the horse-racing busi- 
ness in general. 

151 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

Our special car, fittingly decorated, 
was always the object of unusual 
interest in towns through which we 
passed and especially where we 
stopped. On the various fair grounds 
our stables were the center of attraction 
and, on exhibition days, the spectacle 
of this great string of horses splendidly 
equipped with the best that money 
could buy and led by uniformed 
grooms in parade past crowded stands, 
made a most unusual impression. 

It was all very grand and inspiring 
to know that I was the head of this 
greatest aggregation of horses that 
ever toured the country, to know that 
I was the observed of all observers 
and yet the real thrill of it was 
gone. The other horses for whom 
the glamour of it was still fresh and 
152 



OF DAN PATCH 

who were to continue in it probably 
felt differently about it. They were 
looking forward, as I was a few years 
ago, to new conquests. 

I was grateful when in November, 
after a Thanksgiving appearance at 
New Orleans, we were shipped to the 
farm. I knew that I was not to leave 
it again except perhaps for a visit 
to the Minnesota State Fair, the 
scene of my greatest triumphs. 



153 



CHAPTER XV. 

MY DAILY ROUTINE. 

I am at home permanently now and 
it is a pleasant life I lead here in the 
country. The routine of my living 
has been changed but little from the 
days when I was being trained to 
make new world's records. The hard, 
fast workouts and exhibition trips 
have been eliminated, but my treat- 
ment is none the less careful and exact. 

My day begins at five o'clock in 
the morning with a breakfast of four 
quarts of well-screened oats. My 
caretaker always keeps a bucket of 
fresh water in my stall so that I can 
drink when and as much as I like. 

After finishing my morning meal I 
am cross tied in my stall while the 
154 



OF DAN PATCH 

straw is shaken out, fresh bedding 
put in and my whole apartment dis- 
infected. This stall, in which I now 
spend the greater part of my time, 
is worth at least passing comment. 
While I am used to the comforts and 
elegance of it, I know that it is out 
of the ordinary because it always 
attracts the attention of visitors. 

The apartment is twenty feet 
square, hot water heated, well lighted 
and ventilated. The windows are 
high above my reach and, like the 
barred upper part of the door, are 
fitted up with shades that are drawn 
to keep it cool in summer and dark 
for my noon rests. A plentiful supply 
of bright, fresh, rye straw is always 
on hand and this is banked several 
feet high against each wall to add to 
155 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

the appearance as well as to prevent 
any possible injuries to me when roll- 
ing. A cord is strung, about four feet 
from the floor, clear around the stall 
and on this are hung my special, 
monogrammed, woolen blankets, 
forming a decoration as well as a 
protection. 

Above the blankets the walls are 
decorated and hung with appropriate 
pictures, many of them being photo- 
graphs of myself and scenes of my 
triumphs. I am sure no horse ever 
enjoyed a more comfortable and artis- 
tic living room. 

To proceed with the routine. After 
the stall is prepared in the morning 
I am brushed off, my leg bandages 
removed, feet picked out and pre- 
pared for my morning jog, which con- 
156 



OF DAN PATCH 

sists of five or six miles outdoors if 
the weather permits and, if not, on 
the covered track. This track is 
unique and all of the horses on the 
farm consider it one of their greatest 
luxuries. It is a regulation half-mile 
track connected with the west wing 
of the barn. Its covering is a com- 
plete oval building which contains 
fourteen hundred windows. It is sur- 
faced with tan bark and salt so that 
it never freezes and furnishes the best 
footing even in the coldest weather. 
On this track the colts are taught. 
We are exercised there during the 
winter and through March and April. 
I always enjoy the morning's jog 
as I go only as fast as I feel inclined 
and I often get a little frisky, to my 
driver's discomfiture, who talks crossly 
157 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

to me, but who would never allow me 
to be hurt in the slightest way. 

After this jog I am taken to the 
stable, unhitched, thoroughly cooled 
out and returned to my stall, where 
my legs are again bandaged with 
woolen bandages and sheet cotton 
and my feet washed out. I am then 
given plenty of clean, timothy hay, 
for which I have usually worked up 
an appetite. 

From this time until eleven o'clock 
I am loose in my stall. Then I am 
given two quarts of oats and three 
quarts of bran mash. As soon as 
this meal is finished the feed box is 
removed and I am left alone to enjoy 
my afternoon nap. Some people 
smile when told that I never fail to 
enjoy this after-dinner siesta. It is 

158 



OF DAN PATCH 

an important matter to me, however. 
Every day I take from one to two 
hours' rest, lying down in my com- 
fortable quarters. I believe this regu- 
lar rest has helped to keep me strong. 

About 4:30 the stall is put in order 
and I am again given a bunch of 
timothy hay and water. At five 
o'clock I get four quarts of cooked 
oats and bran. After eating this meal 
the feed-box is removed and I am 
carefully prepared for the night. 

During the season of exhibitions, 
before my retirement,I was given four 
meals a day. My first three meals 
were the same as in the winter but 
I had one more meal at 8:30 p. m., 
consisting of a bran mash. My care- 
takers early learned that I could safely 
be left to my own discretion in the 
159 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

matter of eating. Even on exhibi- 
tion days I was never tied to keep from 
filling up as other horses have to be. 
I was allowed all the hay I wanted 
to eat right up to the time the harness 
was put on for my warming-up miles. 

As soon as I finished a fast mile I 
was taken to the stall and given an 
alcohol bath. The alcohol was well 
rubbed into the muscles of my legs 
and back, after which it was scraped 
off leaving my skin and hair perfectly 
clean. I was then rubbed lightly, my 
legs hand-rubbed and bandaged with 
cotton bandages. After this I was cov- 
ered with light blankets and walked 
for about twenty minutes, after which 
I was taken in and rubbed lightly 
to thoroughly dry my hair. 

This work was repeated and the 
160 



OF DAN PATCH 

entire cooling-out process took about 
an hour and thirty minutes. When 
thoroughly cooled out I was taken to 
my stall, my legs washed with castile 
soap and warm water and woolen 
bandages rolled on them. Then I was 
covered with a shoulder piece or 
extremely long towel with a light 
woolen blanket over it. My feet 
were packed and I was left to enjoy 
rest, hay and hot bran mash. 

On mornings following an exhibi- 
tion when we were obliged to ship, 
I was never jogged, but placed in the 
car and fed mostly bran mashes and 
all the hay I wanted. In shipping 
I was backed into a narrow, padded 
stall that did not permit of my lying 
down. My feet were packed and 
my rubber floor protected me from 
161 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

jars and injuries. I grew used to long 
shipments and they never bothered 
me, although some times the monot- 
ony was wearying. I learned to ac- 
cept the conditions philosophically. 

Those who have visited my farm 
home will appreciate why I am happy 
here. In extent and in all of its 
appointments the place is in keeping 
with my own palatial quarters. The 
seven hundred acres lie on both sides 
of the picturesque Minnesota River. 
My owner's summer home occupies 
a commanding position on a bluff 
that rises 125 feet sheer above the 
river level. 

On our side, the broad, rich acres 
of the Minnesota River bottom furn- 
ish food and drink and a place of 
exercise for the mares, colts and 
162 



OF DAN PATCH 

youngsters. There is also a high 
class mile track, which is one of the 
fastest in the country, in addition 
to the half-mile covered track of 
which I have spoken. 

The stables are as large and com- 
plete as any in the world. The five 
great wings radiating from the im- 
mense rotunda together with a long 
barn immediately in the rear provide 
stall accommodations for fully two 
hundred and twenty-five horses. The 
entire plant is lighted by acetylene 
gas, piped with water and hot water 
heated. Everything is peaceful and 
well ordered and it is an ideal place 
for a retired champion to spend his 
latter days. 



163 



CHAPTER XVI. 

ONE CHAMPIONSHIP I DID NOT WIN. 

From colthood, harnesses, carts and 
sulkies have been familiar to me. I 
early learned to consider them a part 
of my life. After I had become used 
to a bit and learned to be guided by 
the drawing of lines, I never objected 
to being harnessed or driven. To 
pull a man in a sulky seemed natural 
and right to me, the duty of every 
dignified race horse. 

I had often heard tales of great 
thoroughbreds who raced under sad- 
dle and, at many of the fairs where I 
was on exhibition, I had seen long, 
lean horses, mounted by undersized 
men or boys wearing gaily colored 
caps and jackets, galloping on the 

164 



OF DAN PATCH 

track. Indeed I was very well ac- 
quainted with a black pony at the 
farm that, under saddle, used to 
prompt us in the early spring or was 
used to break and herd the colts. This 
pony was well bred and good man- 
nered and I felt very friendly toward 
her. 

I must admit, however, that I never 
knew much about the rules of running 
races and always considered saddle 
horses and runners a class which I 
did not care to cultivate. Individ- 
ually I thought them all right and I 
presume many of them are deserving, 
but, as a class, I never cared about 
associating with them any more than 
a bank president cares to join the 
hotel porters' union. Perhaps I was 
wrong in this, but I have always felt 
165 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

that breeding and performance make 
class distinction among horses as well 
as among men. With this explana- 
tion of my feeling it should not be 
hard to understand my actions in the 
following incident. 

It happened one spring morning 
several years ago, but it had real bear- 
ing upon my future treatment and 
it made a vivid impression upon me 
as well as upon other actors in the 
little drama. 

Without giving me any advance in- 
formation, my caretaker brought into 
my stall an armful of leather trappings 
which he tossed on the straw beside 
me. I did not recognize their na- 
ture and thought it unusual to be 
harnessed at that time of day. With- 
out any explanation he put on my 

16G 



OF DAN PATCH 

head an open bridle and tossed the 
reins back on my neck. I wondered 
that I should be bridled before the 
rest of the harness was put on, but 
from habit asked no questions nor 
registered any objections. 

Two or three of the stable men 
watched the operation from the door- 
way and there was an air of unusual- 
ness about the proceeding that 
aroused my curiosity. After being 
cross tied in the stall, my caretaker 
laid a small blanket on my back and 
then, to my surprise, picked up what 
I recognized as a saddle and placed 
it on the blanket. I was too aston- 
ished to remonstrate and before I 
knew it the girths were tightened 
around me. They were cinched pain- 
fully but it was all done so 

167 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

quickly that I only half realized the 
real indignity of it. 

I was then led from my stall and 
into an adjoining field. A half dozen 
men followed, evidently interested in 
the outcome of the experiment. I 
did not like the feeling of the saddle 
and the cinched girth, but decided 
to see what further would be at- 
tempted. 

When we reached a nice, level, open 
spot we stopped and one of the stable 
boys approached, taking the rein 
from Plummer. Without saying a 
word he stepped into the stirrup and 
vaulted to a seat on my back. This 
was the last straw. Was I, the cham- 
pion of the world, to be used as 
a saddle horse? Not if I could 
help it. 

168 



OF DAN PATCH 

Even my good temper could not 
stand the strain. I hesitated, uncer- 
tain how best to emphasize my pro- 
test, and the boy on my back stuck 
his heels in my side and exclaimed, 
"Get up, Dan, old boy!" 

The familiarity added fuel to the 
flames of my wrath and I leaped for- 
ward, thinking to run from under my 
rider and away from my shame. I 
ran for a little distance, but found 
this method unavailing. I paid no 
attention to the manipulation of the 
reins by the boy as I was beside my- 
self with shame and anger. I whirled 
about and started across country 
toward the river, As I neared the 
bank of the creek that flows through 
the farm, the thought of a trick of 
my youth flashed through my mind 
169 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

and from a run I stopped suddenly — 
stiff legged. I felt the boy on 
my back bounce forward on to my 
neck and hope revived. I jumped 
forward again, stopped quicker than 
before with my feet planted almost 
on the bank of the little stream. At 
the same time I kicked high and 
viciously, with my head lowered to 
the ground. 

The weight on my back shifted. 
I was hit with a dangling stirrup and 
when I looked up I saw the stable 
boy striking the water with an awful 
splash. It was sweet revenge and, 
as the poor fellow emerged from the 
cold water, spluttering and swearing, 
I felt a great, if wicked, joy. 

Not to be again trapped, I turned 
and jogged away from the approach- 
170 



OF DAN PATCH 

ing youth and saw my caretaker 
running toward me as fast as he could. 
I stopped as Plummer neared me and 
let him come up and take hold of the 
dangling bridle rein. "I told 'em 
you wouldn't stand for it, Dan, and 
I guess they know it now," he stam- 
mered, nearly out of breath, but 
evidently elated with the spirit of "X 
told you so." 

He immediately loosened the sad- 
dle girth and, pulling the troublesome 
thing from my back, threw it in a 
heap on the grass. "I guess that is 
the last time they will put you on 
Dan Patch," he grunted and started 
to lead me toward the stables. 

I was glad some one knew that I 
would stand up for my rights and felt 
very friendly toward my groom. 
171 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

Plummer and 1 were not the only 
pleased spectators. "Patch," my 
little silver Yorkshire terrior mascot, 
seemed more delighted than either 
of us. He was jumping about my 
feet and barking excitedly. I felt 
that he appreciated my wounded 
feelings and was glad that I had vin- 
dicated myself. When near the stable 
entrance Plummer stopped me, reach- 
ed down and picked up the little long- 
haired and wildly wiggling Patch. 
"We three will always stand to- 
gether," he asserted, to which decla- 
ration I gladly assented and Patch 
barked approval. "You are the only 
one that can ride this champion," 
said Plummer and therewith set my 
little friend on my back. 

I felt Patch's sharp claws as he 

172 



OF DAN PATCH 

strove to keep his balance, but the 
scratches were like caresses to me and 
I stood perfectly still while the little 
dog barked defiance to the men who 
had just arrived from the scene of my 
saddle exhibition. 

Patch has been my pal since he was 
a tiny puppy. He has eaten and 
drunk and slept with me. We have 
traveled together several times 
across the continent. They say a 
dog is man's most faithful friend 
and I believe little Patch is as faith- 
ful to me as any dog ever was to his 
master. He is now about five years 
old and has been my continual com- 
panion during that time. He always 
seems content to be with me and I 
am always pleased to have him. He 
is an excitable little fellow and some 

173 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

times loudly objects to the visits of 
strangers to my stall, but as is the 
case with more than dogs his "bark 
is worse than his bite." He really 
would not harm any one unless he 
was convinced that they were caus- 
ing me pain. He enjoys my jogs, 
workouts and exhibitions and is the 
most excited being about the place 
whenever I am harnessed and taken 
from the stables. He always goes 
with me unless forcibly detained and 
one of his delights is riding in the 
sulky seat with Plummer when I am 
taking my morning exercise. 

On account of our unusual and close 
relationship, I was proud to have 
Patch succeed where a man had failed. 
It pleased me to have him ride me 
and bark his defiance to the men whom 

174 



OF DAN PATCH 

I thought had tried to lower my 
dignity. 

As a result of this episode no one 
since has ever tried to saddle me. 
I have not won the world's champion- 
ship for a pacing horse under saddle, 
but I have preserved my self-respect. 



175 



OF DAN PATCH 

Tiring but determined we struggled 
through the stretch and I staggered 
slightly as I passed under the wire 
amid the almost death-like silence that 
gripped the expectant thousands. 

The time was hung out and it was 
greeted with the tumultuous roar of 
a widely enthusiastic crowd. I had 
again achieved what was considered 
impossible and lowered my own and 
the world's record. The clamor was 
deafening and the uncontrolled crowd 
surged around me. Despite my pro- 
tests the people bore me off my feet 
and I was raised high in the air over 
their heads. 

Following the ecstatic joy of this 
moment of victory I felt myself fall- 
ing. I saw a mass of humanity under 
me and feared they would be crushed 
177 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

by my weight. I came closer to them, 
but they did not move. Just as my 
feet seemed about to strike their 
heads some one in the crowd called 
"It's an honor to be killed by Dan 
Patch, the world's champion harness 
horse!" and — I woke up. 

I opened my eyes slowly and won- 
deringly took in the details of my own 
stall. I knew that I had been only 
dreaming and as I turned my head 
saw my master standing at the stall 
door laughing quietly to himself. 
"Dear old Dan!" he exclaimed. "You 
can't get over breaking world's rec- 
ords, can you?" 

As usual he understood me. He 

knew that I had been living over 

again, in my dreams, some great 

effort. I arose and stood still, some- 

178 



OF DAN PATCH 

what dazed, and he came to me and, 
patting me affectionately on the neck, 
said: "You old rascal! I am more 
convinced than ever that you are al- 
most human ; in fact, more intelligent 
than most humans. I didn't know, 
however, that horses ever dreamed 
dreams of greatness. Perhaps others 
don't, but I know you do. The way 
you paced that mile was really life- 
like. It's a wonder there is any straw 
left in your stall." 

In looking about me I saw the 
bedding had been thrown in great 
disorder and realized that though 
lying down I had really paced a 
remarkable mile. I have heard my 
owner and caretakers since tell the 
story and say that it is not uncommon 
for me to pace while I sleep. 
179 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

I know that the dream seemed very 
real. It was exhilarating and I am 
glad that at least I have dreams of 
greatness and great performances left 
to enjoy, since physical limitations 
prevent me from more real track 
victories. 

It hurts to believe that fate is so 
unkind as to leave me with a spirit 
for continued conquest and without 
the physical strength to carry it out. 
I know that I am the fastest horse in 
the world and I am confident that 
when I am in condition all the Minor 
Heirs and George Ganos and Lady 
Maud Cs are merely amateurs in 
comparison and yet there is some- 
thing which makes me enjoy my 
afternoon nap and the long hours of 
rest, more than I ever did before. 
180 



OF DAN PATCH 

New world's records do not appeal to 
me the way they once did. The 
country, my farm home with its 
stream and sunshine, birds and happy 
horses seem more desirable than hard 
tracks, killing effort and great multi- 
tudes of cheering people. 

I guess I am growing old. If that 
is true I have little to regret. The 
years I have lived have been crowded 
with incident, action, conquest and 
glory. I have won practically all of 
the world's records for harness horses. 
I have never been defeated in a race 
and best of all I have made thousands 
and thousands of friends. I feel that 
these friends are worth having worked 
for. They will remain true to me 
and perhaps through them I will be 
the cause of bettering the lot of other 
horses. I hope so. 

181 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

Whatever else shall be asked of me 
I shall do to the best of my ability. 
I know that I have long years of peace 
and happiness ahead of me. I shall 
enjoy the reflected glory won by my 
sons and daughters, many of whom 
I know will carry forward the fame 
of the family of which I have always 
been so proud. 

In closing I want to repeat that 
horses do think and feel, do enjoy, 
suffer and know. 



THE END. 



182 



APPENDIX 



DESCRIPTION OF 
DAN PATCH. 

Dan looks a World's Champion to a 
pre-eminent degree. He has size and 
his bearing shows a proud conscious- 
ness that is distinctive and always 
makes him the observed of all observ- 
ers. His head is remarkable for its 
beauty of conformation and his wide 
set, intelligent eyes are wonderfully ex- 
pressive. His trainer gives the follow- 
ing figures, descriptive of Dan Patch: 

Color — Mahogany Bay with black 
points and small, white star on fore- 
head. 

Weight — Eleven hundred and six- 
ty-five pounds. 

Height — Sixteen hands. 

Girth measure — Seventy-three and 
one-half inches. 

Shoulder measure — Sixty inches. 
184 



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185 



WORLD RECORDS HELD BY DAN 
PATCH. 

OVER ONE MILE TRACK. 

One mile, 1906 1 :55 

One mile, 1905 1:55% 

One mile, unpaced, 1905 1 :58 

One mile, to high wheel sulky, 1903. ..2:04% 

One mile, to wagon, 1903 1 :57% 

One half mile, 1903 0:56 

Two miles on mile track, 1903 4:17 

OVER HALF MILE TRACK. 

One mile, 1905 2:01 

One mile, to wagon, 1905 2:05 

Dan Patch is the only Champion Pacing 
Stallion never beaten in a race. 

Dan Patch has paced One Mile in 1 :55, One 
Mile in 1 :55 %, Two Miles in 1 :56, Three Miles 
in 1:56%, Fourteen Miles averaging 1:563^2, 
Thirty Miles averaging 1:57}^, Forty-Five 
Miles averaging 1:58, Seventy-Three Miles 
averaging 1 :59J^, One Hundred Twenty Miles 
averaging 2:02J^. 

186 



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